Lamar Jackson gave it his all, but even a one-man highlight reel can’t win games on his own. The Baltimore Ravens’ playoff hopes got crushed by the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round, and of course, the internet had thoughts.
But one Ravens’ defensive star isn’t here for the slander. Instead of piling on, he’s making it clear — Jackson didn’t just show up, he carried the squad.
Ravens’ Kyle Van Noy Defends Lamar Jackson After Playoff Loss
Same story, different year; Jackson gives it his all, and the critics still come swinging.
After a brutal 27-25 loss to the Bills, the Ravens’ season ended in heartbreak. But inside the locker room, linebacker Kyle Van Noy had one message: Don’t blame Jackson.
.@KVN_03 believes the Ravens will be back next season despite playoff loss:
"Lamar took it like a professional. It comes down to us, but that's fuel for this year." pic.twitter.com/mqMeuQyB6s
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) February 6, 2025
“Lamar took it like a professional,” Van Noy said on “The Facility” talk show. “It comes down to us, but that’s fuel for this year.”
Jackson caught heat for two first-half turnovers, but let’s not ignore the comeback. The man cooked in the second half, leading a 90-yard drive in crunch time to set up a game-tying two-point attempt. If not for a Mark Andrews miscue, the Ravens might’ve stolen the win.
Van Noy, a two-time Super Bowl champion, knows a thing or two about big moments.
“Yes, he had a couple hiccups,” he admitted. “But then you look at the second half — he was flawless. He was balling, gave us a chance… he put the team on his back.”
Say what you want, but Jackson isn’t going anywhere. The Ravens will reload, and when they do, he’ll be right back in the mix and ready to shut the doubters up.
Josh Allen Edges Jackson for MVP
Jackson balled out in 2024, but somehow, it wasn’t enough for that third MVP. Instead, Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen swooped in, grabbing 27 first-place votes, while Jackson had to settle for 23. Tough break.
Jackson set a career-high 4,172 passing yards and added 915 on the ground. Nevertheless, Allen’s 12 rushing touchdowns and leading the Bills to a 13-4 record tipped the scales in his favor.
Despite missing out on MVP, Jackson still bagged the Pro Football Writers of America MVP and was a first-team All-Pro. As teammate Derrick Henry put it, “You can put anybody by Lamar and they’re going to have a hell of a year.”
Jackson’s not sweating the MVP, though. It’s all about the Super Bowl. Both he and Allen still have that same big goal in mind, and while the MVP hardware went to Allen this time around, Jackson’s got his eyes set on the bigger prize. Here’s to next season.
