Ravens' Lamar Jackson Called Out by Former NFL Player in Blunt Message
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Over the last few years, Baltimore Ravens superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson has continually improved his game. Last season, he posted a career-best season and finished just behind Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen for the NFL MVP award.
Jackson has helped make the Ravens one of the top teams in the AFC. In 2025, the team is once again expected to be a legitimate contender for the Super Bowl.
However, there is one area of his game that Jackson must improve.
Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens passes the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 07, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens passes the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 07, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Photo byWhile he has been 100 percent elite in the regular season, Jackson has not been that player in the playoffs. When the lights have shined the brightest, Jackson hasn't been able to lead his team to wins to overtake the NFL's best.
Read more: Browns' Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel Get Bad News in Future Projection
In a new segment on "The Facility," former NFL player Emmanuel Acho spoke out with a blunt message for Jackson.
"If we're being honest about it all, Lamar has to be special in the playoffs. He's special in the regular season. He's yet to be special in the playoffs. He's been good in the playoffs, but Lamar has to be the difference maker. Hey, if the defense lets you down to some degree, Lamar be the great eraser. If the offense lets you down, Lamar be the great eraser," Acho said.
He continued on to reveal what he thinks Jackson must do to be considered an all-time great.
"For me, if you are going to be one of the greatest players of the generation, and I don't know if he can be All-Decade, because I'm sure that will go to Patrick Mahomes, but if you're going to be one of the greatest players of the generation, he has to be that in the playoffs as well."
During the 2024 NFL season, Jackson was dominant all year long. He completed 66.7 percent of his pass attempts for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just four interceptions, while rushing for 915 yards and four more scores.
Read more: Bills Have One Issue That Could Destroy Super Bowl Hopes
Unfortunately, that year led to a Divisional Round playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills. Once again, Baltimore failed to make a Super Bowl run.
Not all of the blame can be put on Jackson. Winning is not an individual statistic.
Despite that fact, Jackson has received a lot of the blame. He'll be looking to take the next step and lead the Ravens to the Super Bowl and a championship in the 2025 season to silence the critics once and for all.
For more Baltimore Ravens and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
18 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Ex-Eagles Star Takes Massive Shot at Commanders' Deebo Samuel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A key offseason move for the Washington Commanders doesn't move the needle for former Philadelphia Eagles star Brandon Graham. As one prominent streamer by the name of Janky Rondo spoke with confidence about the Commanders heading into next season, mentioning the acquisition of Deebo Samuel as a reason why Washington will take an additional step forward, Graham fired back a massive shot at the versatile wideout. "You know we got Deebo," Graham heard. "I wouldn't worry about him," Graham fired back. "He gotta be in shape first—he don't look like he in shape right now." BG on Deebo Samuel: 'I wouldn't worry about him. He has to get in shape first' 🎥 credit IG: Jankyrondo — Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) June 28, 2025 Graham made a name for himself as a notorious trash talker throughout his Eagles career. It doesn't come as a surprise that he continues to talk trash off the field, despite calling it a career this offseason. Plus, when it comes to Deebo Samuel and the Eagles, there's a lot of history there dating back to Deebo's days with the San Francisco 49ers. After the Eagles defeated the 49ers in the NFC Championship a few years back, Samuel and the 49ers entered the following year with a chip on their shoulder and dominated Philadelphia during the regular season. It was a heated battle, and Samuel was at the forefront of it all for San Francisco's side. These days, Samuel's Niners days are finished, but he landed on a direct rival of the Eagles. Since the Commanders and the Eagles just battled it out in the NFC Championship this past season, Samuel's rivalry with the Eagles will surely remain in place for the 2025 NFL season. Deebo Samuel Sr. #1 of the San Francisco 49ers in action against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2024. Deebo Samuel Sr. #1 of the San Francisco 49ers in action against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on December 30, won't get a chance to participate in those two matchups against Washington this season. The former 13th overall pick decided to hang up his cleats. The Eagles landed Graham out of Michigan in 2010. At the time, he was a controversial pick,and struggled to live up to his draft position early on. Eventually, Graham became a notable player on the defensive end of the ball for the Eagles. Before anybody knew it, Graham became a Pro Bowler, All-Pro, and two-time Super Bowl Champion. He played 206 games for the Eagles, registering over 75 sacks and 487 tackles. He might not take the field for the Eagles this year for the first time in over a decade, but Graham is clearly still about his trash-talking ways and downplaying any potential threat or enemy that might try to get in the way of his Eagles. For more Washington Commanders and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
22 minutes ago
- USA Today
Rams' Jared Verse says Eagles have top opponent fan base: 'Got to give them that'
Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Jared Verse was asked in a recent interview with Whistle Sports which opposing NFL team has the best fan base. His answer was a surprise to many who closely observed the 2024 first-round pick during his rookie season. "Probably the Eagles," Verse replied. "I've got to give them that." Verse's assertion comes just months after the 24-year-old expressed his disdain for the Philadelphia faithful ahead of a playoff clash between the two teams. "I hate Eagles fans," Verse told the Los Angeles Times in January. "They're so annoying. I hate Eagles fans." "When I see that green and white I hate it," he added. "I actually get upset. Like I actually, genuinely get hot." The Eagles acknowledged they used Verse's jab as fuel in their 28-22 win over the Rams in the divisional round of the playoffs. But that didn't appear to be the main reason behind Verse's change of tune. While the Florida State product may not like Philadelphia fans, he appears to have a healthy respect for their fervent support of the Eagles. "I like when you kind of like get into it, you're aggressive, you're loud and all that stuff," Verse said. "They stand by that with no doubt." HOWIE ROSEMAN: Flying beer cans. The NFC East. Super Bowl opponents. Nothing is stopping Eagles GM Verse likened the atmosphere at Eagles games to a college rivalry matchup. "You never know what they're going to say and they're gonna try to say disrespectful stuff," he said. "Don't get me wrong, they're not gonna say anything where it's like, 'Bro, you crossed the line,' but they're gonna say some stuff where you're like, 'Who you talkin' to?'" Verse figures to face plenty of those jeers and taunts every time he suits up against the Eagles as a response to his initial comments. Philadelphia fans will next get a chance to heckle the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year when the Eagles host the Rams in Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season.
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bills' Josh Allen Influencing Longhorns' Arch Manning
Bills' Josh Allen Influencing Longhorns' Arch Manning originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Arch Manning has a lot of people he can turn to when seeking advice about the quarterback position. As he enters his first season as the full-time starter at the University of Texas, the former five-star recruit has mentioned that he stays very close with uncles Peyton and Eli and grandfather Archie. Advertisement This summer at the annual Manning Passing Academy camp - in which Arch and his relatives are volunteer counselors - the youngest Manning mentioned that he studies other star quarterbacks around the NFL to improve his game, too. 'I'm watching a lot of Josh Allen and Joe Burrow right now. Those are my guys,' Manning said. 'They're dogs. I've watched some of their college film. They're just good players, elite competitors and fun to watch.' Manning, unlike his uncles, profiles as a physical runner in along with his excellent arm talent. He can find a lot of inspiration from Allen in that regard. The Buffalo Bills' star may not be the fastest QB in the league, but he always plays with his head down and isn't afraid to crash into would-be tackers in order to get extra yardage on the ground. Advertisement There are a lot of expectations on the young quarterback with three NFL greats coming from the Manning lineage, but Arch has seemed to approach this position with rare poise and maturity for his age and situation. Manning redshirted his freshman season at Texas in 2023 and continued to sit behind eventual seventh-rounder Quinn Ewers last season. When Ewers was hurt during a non-conference stretch, Manning was able to play and show off some of that versatility. His most memorable highlight came on a misdirection run where Arch found a lane and stepped on the gas to blow by the defense for a 67-yard touchdown against UTSA. He also proved invaluable during Texas' regular season finale win over rival Texas A&M. Manning subbed in for a designed run where he showed great balance to stay in bounds and reach for the endzone for the first touchdown of the game. Manning spoke about how he tries to emulate the way Allen can make plays with his legs, especially during broken plays where he has to scramble out of trouble. Advertisement 'He's just the ultimate football player. If something's not there he's going to make something happen and do whatever he can to make his team win,' Manning said. In 2024, Allen was fifth among quarterbacks with 531 rushing yards and second in rushing touchdowns with 12. He has over 4,000 rushing yards and 65 touchdowns in his seven-year career in Buffalo. Manning leads the Longhorns with more than just the weight of his family's name on his shoulders. He is expected to guide Texas to another deep run in the College Football Playoff after Ewers appeared in the last two CFP semifinals before entering the NFL Draft. Whether it's in 2026 or 2027, Manning is expected to be one of the first quarterbacks taken in Round 1. Advertisement For now, he'll rely on the heroics of the MVP to help him improve his game in college before the two ultimately meet in the NFL one day. Related: Bills' Super Bowl Pressure Meter Reading High In 2025 Related: Bills 'Unique' Superstar Josh Allen Earns Ranking Among Best Ever This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
