"In a challenging defeat against the Chiefs, Jackson's postseason aspirations take a hit, leaving room for reflection and determination for the future."
BALTIMORE - Lamar Jackson's frustration was palpable after tossing an interception in the end zone during the fourth quarter, as he aggressively tore off his helmet and slammed it to the ground while heading to the sideline.
Despite being the presumed NFL Most Valuable Player, Jackson's postseason journey came to an abrupt halt as the AFC's top-seeded Ravens faced a challenging 17-10 defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. This loss marks Jackson's postseason record at 2-4.
Expressing his emotions, Jackson stated, "I'm not frustrated at all; I'm angry about losing." Despite falling short of reaching the Super Bowl, he remains optimistic about the team's future, emphasizing the dedication to improvement during the offseason.
Jackson, previously unstoppable with an average of 33.9 points per game in his past seven starts, faced a setback in his first appearance in a conference championship game. The Ravens, considered the season's most dominant team, struggled to put points on the board and tied a season-low in scoring.
Reflecting on the defeat, Jackson acknowledged the team's anger, emphasizing their awareness of the hard work invested to reach this stage. Despite Jackson being a frontrunner for his second NFL MVP, his performance on Sunday mirrored past postseason struggles, averaging 10.5 points in four playoff losses.
Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. expressed confidence in Jackson's resilience, stating, "The greats have all been through tough times, and I don't think this is going to stop him from wanting to get to his ultimate goal."
While Jackson faced challenges extending drives and combating the Chiefs' pass rush, Ravens coach John Harbaugh commended his heart and effort throughout the game.
Despite years of aiming to lead the Ravens to a championship and his declaration upon being drafted in 2018, "They're going to get a Super Bowl out of me. Believe that," Jackson has yet to guide the Ravens to a Super Bowl appearance.
Linebacker Patrick Queen shared the disappointment, expressing that the pain stemmed from the desire to see Jackson receive the recognition he deserves. Queen emphasized that the team's collective effort fell short of granting Jackson the opportunity to move on to the next stage.
“We mad. We were one win away from the Super Bowl, what I’ve been talking about all season, my team has been talking about all season,” Jackson said after Sunday’s 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. “We fell short. The offense, we didn’t put nothing on the board. We scored once. That’s not like us. I’m not frustrated, I’m angry because I know how hard we worked to get here.”
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) leaves the field after an AFC Championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, in Baltimore. The Kansas City Chiefs won 17-10. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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