The Baltimore Ravens are shifting on to the divisional spherical of the AFC playoffs after a convincing 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday evening.
Whereas the ultimate rating may make it appear like this recreation was considerably aggressive, it actually was not.
The Ravens had been the most effective crew on the sector by a decisive margin and this recreation was by no means, ever doubtful.
The Ravens will now await the results of Sunday’s Buffalo Payments vs. Denver Broncos recreation and can both host Houston or journey to Buffalo.
As for the Steelers, it completes an astonishing second-half collapse that noticed them lose 5 consecutive video games to finish the season and get dominated in yet one more playoff recreation.
Listed below are some takeaways from the Ravens’ win.
Knee-jerk response: Lamar Jackson performed like an MVP
The massive particular person debate within the NFL this season has been whether or not or not Buffalo Payments quarterback Josh Allen or Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson ought to be the league MVP.
Whereas the voting has already been accomplished, Jackson confirmed on Saturday evening why he has a convincing case to win his third MVP award.
He was magical in each potential approach. He made performs along with his ft, speeding for 81 yards on 15 carries. He was environment friendly along with his arm, finishing 16-of-21 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. It was not simply the numbers, both. It was the way in which he made performs and when he made them.
He transformed third downs with ease and led three first-half scoring drives of 95, 85 and 90 yards. He ended the primary half with a spotlight landing move to Justice Hill simply earlier than time ran out, and narrowly avoiding a sack that will have ended the half with out the Ravens including to their lead.
Whereas his last numbers may not be jaw-dropping, the Ravens merely didn’t want him to be. They had been in such management of this recreation it was simple for them to take their foot off the fuel. In the event that they wanted extra from him, they may have simply gotten it.
Sport MVP: Derrick Henry, working again, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson was nice on Saturday. He is likely to be the league MVP.
However Henry will get the consideration of recreation MVP on Saturday due to the general impression he made. It was not simply his 186 yards on 26 carries, both.
He modified the way in which the Steelers needed to defend Jackson, and that opened up the offense in a approach the Ravens have by no means actually had in these video games. When the Steelers have had success towards Jackson previously, their focus has all the time been to ship a participant at Jackson on each snap and on each read-option run, regardless of the place the ball was going. Their aim was to not let Jackson beat them along with his legs.
On Saturday? That each one modified. The Steelers needed to respect Henry and put all of their deal with him. That not solely opened up Jackson to make performs along with his ft, however additionally they nonetheless had no reply for Henry and he nonetheless ran like a Corridor of Famer.
That’s the impression he has on the Ravens. He’s not solely an amazing participant on his personal deserves, however he additionally opens up the sector for everyone else.
Play of the sport: Justice Hill’s landing simply earlier than halftime
With lower than 10 seconds to play within the first half and the Ravens out of timeouts, John Harbaugh saved his offense on the sector to take another shot on the finish zone. It may have gone poorly if Jackson had been sacked. He practically was.
Practically.
