Ravens' Lamar Jackson Wins AFC Player of the Week For Performance vs. Dolphins
When the Baltimore Ravens needed their MVP to be at his best, Lamar Jackson delivered and then some in their 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.
Lamar Jackson.
Corey Perrine/USA Today
Jackson's play earned him the AFC Player of the Week for the second time this season and the 10th in his career. The Ravens quarterback completed 18 of 21 passes for 321 yards and five touchdowns. Among the five touchdowns, Jackson's most impressive one came in the first half when he rolled to his left before turning to his right and hitting rookie receiver Zay Flowers on a line for a 75-yard score.
It also marked the second straight game that he turned in a stellar performance against one of the NFL's elite, as Jackson completed 23 of 35 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns in Baltimore's 33-19 win over the San Francisco 49ers (12-4) on Christmas.
"I'd say it's even better," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said of Jackson's performance against Miami. "His performance was even better than last week. He played a great football game. He played a perfect football game in terms of the passing game. He was just on point."
Jackson's performance didn't just win the AFC North for the Ravens and seal the No. 1 seed. It likely earned him the second MVP of his career. While he was clearly at his best against a Dolphins defense that had been one of the best in football, many of Jackson's teammates, including receiver Odell Beckham Jr., noted that's what they've seen from him all season.
"There is no debating," OBJ said. "He just always keeps us alive, and the energy that he has every day coming into work – he's our general. He's our leader. He's just done a phenomenal job this season."
Baltimore closes out the regular season against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium at 4:30 p.m. ET.
