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BALTIMORE – With a tumbled touchdown and clutch conversion in fourth, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson defeated the Kansas City Chiefs and his self-proclaimed “kryptonite” for the first time in a thrilling 36- decision. 35 Sunday evening.
Jackson carried the Ravens shorthanded in their first victory over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs after three losses running for 113 yards and throwing for 239 yards.
The odds were apparently stacked against Baltimore, who was down several injured players and trailed 11 points (35-24) to start the fourth quarter. Jackson then made the biggest comeback of his career in the fourth quarter, hitting two touchdowns, including a flip in the end zone for the winning score of one yard.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh celebrated the emotional victory by giving Jackson a huge hug on the pitch.
“It feels good to get rid of that monkey,” said Jackson, three of eight regular season losses to Kansas City. “We have to move on to Detroit now. We haven’t won the Super Bowl yet; it’s only a game. We just have to stay focused.”
The Ravens tied their record at 1-1 with one of their most unlikely wins. Injuries forced Baltimore to play without All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley, his top two running backs and rookie receiver and first-round pick Rashod Bateman, along with a dozen others on the injured reserve.
But the Ravens had Jackson, who gave them all the confidence they needed to upset the defending AFC champions. Up one point with 1 minute and 5 seconds left, Harbaugh yelled at Jackson and asked if Baltimore should aim for the fourth and the 1 on his own 43-yard line.
“I’m like, ‘Hell, yeah!'” Jackson said after the game. “I said it again.”
Jackson took the snap in the gun formation and ran into the middle of the defense, lowering his head for a 2-yard gain to close the game.
It was a courageous run from Jackson and an almost unprecedented call from Harbaugh. Since 2000, this was only the second time a team has attempted to finish fourth in the final two minutes of a game as they lead with less than a field goal, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Was there any doubt that Harbaugh was going to go?
“No, there wasn’t,” Harbaugh said. “But I think I wanted to be sure of myself, you know? I knew [Jackson] I was going to say yes, but we were going then. “
Jackson became the first quarterback of the Super Bowl era with 100 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in multiple games. He also tied Michael Vick for most 100-yard rushes by a quarterback with his 11th (including the playoffs).
It just didn’t have the makings of a record-breaking night for Jackson. He threw two interceptions in the first quarter, including a pick of six on his second pass attempt.
After the second interception, a visibly frustrated Jackson threw his helmet on the sidelines.
“I know my team is going to watch me,” Jackson said. “If I’m in there messing things up, they’re going to say ‘Damn, what are you doing?’ So I have to do it for my guys. My guys have my back. The first two interceptions, they were like, “Dude, you’re good; you understood that. Let’s just play. “I was like, ‘You’re right, I have to play now. It’s over.’ And that’s what we’ve done.”
Jackson calmed down, throwing a 42-yard touchdown at Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in the third quarter before making his biggest comeback.
Prior to Sunday, Jackson was 0-6 in his career as he shot 11 or more points in the fourth quarter (including the playoffs). His previous biggest comeback was three points (Week 5 in 2019 to the Pittsburgh Steelers).
Jackson’s top-flight 1-yard touchdown with 3:14 left gave the Ravens their first lead and put them forward in earnest.
“He’s amazing, man,” Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said. “He’s the guy there. It’s hard to express, but he put the team on his shoulders a few times tonight.”
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