Lamar Jackson is champing at the bit. He can’t wait for Saturday’s divisional playoff when his home team favorites, Baltimore Ravens, play Tennessee Titans.
Underdogs Titans stunned the Patriots last week when they knocked the reigning Super Bowl champions out of the play-offs. It was not enough, however, to make them favorites.
Jackson and his crack Baltimore warriors have simply been too good all season. Certainly this seems to be the thinking in the New Jersey sports betting industry. Ravens are their strong favorites for Saturday’s clash.
For example, on Wednesday, NJ sportsbook markets leaders FanDuel had their money line odds on the Ravens at -450 as against +350. At -455 versus -340 888sports were pretty close and so too was Resorts Digital at -430 versus +325.
Jackson’s form this season has been sensational while leading the Ravens to a 14-2 top seed status in the Regular season. It earned them a bye from last week’s wild card weekend and Jackson puts it down to one thing.
Failed playoff debut a driving force
It’s his burning desire to erase the painful memories he has of his failed playoff debut last year. The Ravens lost 23-17 to the LA Chargers in Wild Card Weekend and Jackson takes much of the blame.
He was only able to complete 3 of his 9 passes for 25 yards in the first three quarters. He did hit back with two touchdown passes in the final quarter, but it was too late. Those touchdowns were no real consolation.
“That game still motivates me,” ESPN reported Jackson as saying at the Raven’s Friday practice. “That game is over with. I’m playing in my second playoff game on Saturday and can’t wait.
“We’ve been having a great year this year. We just got to keep it going. I want a Super Bowl. I’m not worried about the past. That was my rookie season.”
Jackson has often said that the Wild Card Weekend loss fired him up and drove his desire throughout the offseason. This season it has driven him to new heights. He’s just become the first NFL player to pass for over 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in one regular season.
Jackson named quarterback for all-star pro team
On Friday he followed his Heisman Trophy award as a College footballer by being named as the quarterback for the Associated Press’ annual All-star pro team.
Jackson is also the strong favorite now to win NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award, but he’s putting awards aside for the time being.
“Right now I want a Super Bowl,” Jackson said. “All the accolades and stuff like that; I’ll cherish that another time. I’m trying to chase something else right now.”
Last week’s bye worked well for Jackson. He has been struggling with a stomach bug, which forced him to watch parts of last Sunday’s regular-season finale in the locker room. He also missed Tuesday’s practice.
The good news for the Ravens fans, however, is that he has fully recovered and was able to practice on Thursday and Friday.
“I really don’t get sick,” he said. “It was like a stomach bug. It was a weird, nasty feeling. There was a kind of numbness. But I’m over it. I’m good. I’m 100 [percent] right now.”
