Lamar Jackson knows exactly what is at stake.
The Baltimore Ravens leader is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and could soon win his third MVP award, placing him among the greatest players in the sport’s history.
But Action Jackson entered the 2024 playoffs still seeking his first Super Bowl trophy, which has created a new level of focus and concentration from the three-time All-Pro.
As Baltimore eliminated the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 28-14 home win last weekend, Jackson kept one eye on his next playoff game and the other on a trophy that would end all of the lingering questions surrounding his greatness.
“One down, three to go,” said Jackson, referring to the number of games that Baltimore still must win to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Then a QB with 45 combined passing and rushing touchdowns in 2024 put the rest of the league on notice with an intense two-word message.
“I’m hungry,” Jackson said on HBO’s Hard Knocks.
Fans loved seeing an up-close look at Jackson’s intensity.
“Keep pushing, Lamar,” one fan tweeted.
“He wants that chip” a second fan posted.
“Love to hear it,” a third fan wrote.
x@nflAction Jackson wants more this year[/caption]
“Go get em, Legend,” a fourth fan said.
Jackson and his Ravens travel to Buffalo on Sunday to face Josh Allen and the Bills in an AFC Divisional Round matchup.
It’s also a matchup between the top two NFL MVP candidates.
But for NFL Network analyst Marc Ross, the season-long debate between Jackson and Allen is already over.
“Just look at their stats side-by-side and Lamar is beating him in everything,” Ross exclusively told talkSPORT.
“But then the historical things that Lamar has done. I mean, he’s not competing against Josh Allen. He’s done things that no one has ever done in history.
“And by the way, he’s the greatest runner of all time too. … I think it should be a slam dunk for Lamar.
“And the biggest thing, you listen to all the players. Whenever there’s a thing about the players, they’ll say Lamar — just listen to those guys.”
Jackson has dominated the regular season in recent years, but the playoffs have been an annual problem.
He holds a 70-24 record in the regular season and has been awarded with two MVPs and four Pro Bowl selections.
But Jackson is 3-4 in the playoffs and acknowledged that he pressed too much in past postseasons.
“When it comes to the postseason stakes, Lamar Jackson really has to meditate on and think about it,” Kyle Goon, sports columnist for The Baltimore Banner, exclusively told talkSPORT.
“Because it just feels like when he gets to some of these playoff games he’s trying to win it all by himself and you can’t win playoff games that way.
“Trying to be a superhero in the game and just trying to overextend his considerable abilities.
“When you contrast it to what Patrick Mahomes does, kind of just enough to get the job done, makes the key plays when called upon.”
Follow talkSPORT NFL on Facebook
Follow our talkSPORT NFL page on Facebook for the latest breaking NFL news, exclusive video interviews, and the biggest talking points from around the league.
Our dedicated NFL YouTube channel ‘End Zone’ will also keep you across the very latest NFL news with exclusive access and our weekly ‘Rundown’ review show.