Lamar Jackson’s villain origin story may have played out right before our eyes on the field at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday evening. He was so, so sad after losing to Kansas City at home.
Jackson, the odds-on favorite to be named the NFL MVP, had a phenomenal year. However, the 27-year-old signal-caller simply could not get it done when it mattered most and failed to overcome a 10-point deficit in the AFC Championship game.
Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Chiefs are headed back to the Super Bowl for the fourth time in the last five seasons. Jackson, Zay Flowers and the Ravens had their season come to an end.
A loss became inevitable as the clock wound down in the closing moments of the fourth quarter and all the former Heisman Trophy winner could do was watch. Odell Beckham Jr. ran over to console his quarterback, but there was nothing he could say to cheer him up.
Lamar Jackson stared blankly off into the distance.
Unfortunately, the entire game came down to a disappointing interception with just under seven minutes left. Jackson threw a pass into triple coverage that proved extremely costly and spiked his helmet in anger upon return to the sideline.
It felt in that moment that the ugly pick created an insurmountable deficit and was going to be the difference. That was ultimately true.
Jackson was bummed and understandably so. With that being said, his reaction to the loss was equal part sadness and equal parts inspired. He looked like someone who is prepared to do whatever it takes so this exact scenario does not happen again.
We can all-but pencil in Kansas City for the AFC Championship next season. It’s a reoccurring theme.
Will Jackson be able to lead Baltimore back?