This was supposed to be the year Lamar Jackson finally silenced the haters once and for all.
After years of criticism about his lackluster playoff performances, Jackson and the Ravens looked prime for a deep run in the postseason. Baltimore went 13-4 in the regular season, earning the top spot in the AFC and a bye to the divisional round.
For a week, it did look like this was the season that could result in a Super Bowl being brought back to Baltimore. Jackson and the Ravens stomped the Texans 34-10, punching their ticket to the AFC championship for the first time in the Jackson era.
However, that magic ran out in the conference championship, as Jackson and the Baltimore offense had no answer for Kansas City's stout defensive unit, falling to the defending Super Bowl champions 17-10 on Sunday.
The loss put an end to what had been a sensational season for John Harbaugh's coalition. From owning one of the top-ranked defenses to Jackson's MVP-worthy season on offense, Baltimore looked like a buzzsaw. When it comes to the postseason, however, all the Chiefs know is winning, as Patrick Mahomes knocked out Jackson from the playoffs for the second time in their NFL careers.
While the dual-threat quarterback made a compelling argument against the postseason doubters against the Texans, his performance against the Chiefs undoubtedly will give the critics ammunition to use heading into an intriguing offseason for the Ravens.
MORE: Lamar Jackson completes rare pass to himself in AFC championship game
Here is a look at Jackson's stats against the Chiefs, and the rest of his postseason performances.
Lamar Jackson stats vs. Chiefs
Jackson did not have an overly impressive day through the air. He also could not generate a ton with his legs, leading the Ravens to just seven points on the day.
In the run game, the likely 2023 MVP led Baltimore with 54 rushing yards on eight carries, averaging 6.8 yards per rush while failing to get in the end zone. However, that said more about offensive coordinator Todd Monchen's questionable play-calling, which gave Gus Edwards and Justice Hill a combined six carries all game.
Jackson was not sufficient throwing the ball, completing 20 of his 37 pass attempts for 272 yards, an interception, and a touchdown. The lone score came in the first quarter when Jackson found wide receiver Zay Flowers for a 30-yard touchdown.
LAMAR. ZAY. WHAT A PLAY.
— NFL (@NFL) January 28, 2024
📺: #KCvsBAL on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/IIZbdmhqNS pic.twitter.com/GJqSOk5c4t
His interception came at a crucial point. With just over six minutes left in regulation, Jackson made an incorrect read at the worst time, throwing into triple coverage in the end zone. Kansas City's Deon Bush leaped up for the interception, essentially sealing the Ravens' fate.
Picked off in the end zone! @Chiefs defense comes up big again.
— NFL (@NFL) January 28, 2024
📺: #KCvsBAL on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/IIZbdmhqNS pic.twitter.com/ShTuOUlWUL
Jackson finished the game with a QB rating of 75.5.
Lamar Jackson playoff record
Jackson has played in six career playoff games. After the loss to the Chiefs, he now owns a 2-4 record in those contests.
Before Baltimore's win over Houston in this year's divisional round, Jackson's only career playoff win came against Tennessee in the 2021 AFC wild-card game. Baltimore would go on to lose to the Bills in the AFC divisional round the following week.
Jackson missed the Ravens' 2022 AFC wild-card loss to the Bengals due to a knee injury.
The quarterback finally reached his first AFC championship this postseason, with the divisional-round win over the Texans punching the Ravens' ticket to the conference championship. However, that is as far as Jackson and Co. would go, running into the playoff buzzsaw that is Mahomes.
2019 AFC wild card vs. Chargers: Loss, 23-17
In Jackson's first-career playoff game, the Ravens lost to Philip Rivers, Melvin Gordon, and the Chargers -- or, more accurately, Michael Badgley and the Chargers.
Los Angeles' kicker was the game's leading scorer, burying five field goals for 15 points.
The Chargers led 23-3 in the fourth quarter and a spirited comeback from Jackson and the Ravens came up short.
Jackson only completed 48.3 percent of his passes for 194 yards and two passing touchdowns to go with 54 rushing yards. He also had an interception and one fumble lost.
2020 AFC divisional round vs. Titans: Loss, 28-12
The Ravens went 14-3 and earned a first-round bye but Derrick Henry and the Titans came into Baltimore and knocked off the NFL MVP.
Baltimore went down big early again, trailing 28-6 after three quarters. Henry thrashed the Ravens' defense for 195 yards, and he even threw a passing touchdown to WR Corey Davis.
Jackson finished with 365 passing yards, 143 rushing yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and one fumble lost.
2021 AFC wild card vs. Titans: Win, 20-13
Jackson and the Ravens would get revenge in the wild-card round the following year, earning his first career playoff win.
The dual-threat QB showed just how dangerous he can be with his speed, dashing for a 48-yard touchdown in the second quarter to tie the game and spark some life into Baltimore.
The Ravens learned from their mistake the previous year, holding Henry to just 40 rushing yards.
Jackson completed 17 of his 21 passing attempts, finishing with 179 passing yards and 136 rushing yards.
2021 AFC divisional round vs. Bills: Loss, 17-3
Baltimore's Super Bowl hopes would end the following week in Buffalo, though.
The Ravens trailed 10-3 with the ball on the Bills' nine-yard line and under a minute to play in the third quarter. Instead of punching in the game-tying touchdown, Jackson threw a 101-yard pick-six to Bills CB Taran Johnson to give Buffalo a 17-3 lead it wouldn't surrender.
He finished with a pedestrian 162 passing yards, 34 rushing yards, and one costly interception.
2023 AFC divisional round vs. Texans: Win, 34-10
After leading the Ravens to the No. 1 seed in the AFC, Jackson had his best statistical playoff performance in his career in the divisional round, doing it with both his arm and his legs against a stout Texans unit in a 34-10 win.
The rushing game was the most impressive part of Jackson's game. He needed just 11 carries to rack up 100 yards on the ground, including two rushing touchdowns. Through the air, Jackson completed 16 of his 22 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
Jackson's rating of 121.8 not only was his first time hitting a mark over 100 in a playoff game, but it was also the first time he finished with a rating over 80. His previous career-high was 78.8.
Lamar Jackson career playoff stats
Jackson's playoff stats haven't been overly impressive. While he added onto strong rushing totals in 2023, his passing was not spectacular in the two postseason games in 2023, adding to an already mediocre stat line.
You can find his stats from six career playoff games below.
| GP | Comp-Att | Comp% | Pass Yds | Pass TD | INT | Rush Yds | Rush TD | Fumbles | |
| Career | 6 | 112-195 | 57.4 | 1,324 | 6 | 6 | 521 | 3 | 2 |
