Lamar Jackson: From MVP to Super Bowl?

The Baltimore Ravens quarterback has had a remarkable regular season, but his playoff record leaves much to be desired. Jackson has won as many NFL MVP awards as postseason games - two - but he's yet to reach a Super Bowl.

In a year when he put up his best statistical numbers - becoming the first player to produce more than 4,000 passing yards and 900 rushing yards in a season - Jackson faces a distinction that illustrates his regular-season domination and playoff disappointment: He's the only multiple NFL MVP who has not won a Super Bowl, much less reached one.

Jackson's playoff struggles have been well documented. In his first playoff game, in the 2018 wild-card round, he fumbled three times against the Los Angeles Chargers. In the 2019 divisional round, he had two interceptions against the Tennessee Titans. Both games were losses.

The Ravens have tried to reduce the pressure on Jackson by improving the players around him. In the past three drafts, Jackson has watched Baltimore bolster the offensive line by adding Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum and rookie starting right tackle Roger Rosengarten. Jackson has his first Pro Bowl wide receiver in Zay Flowers, but the pass catcher injured his right knee in the regular-season finale and will not play on Saturday.

Baltimore's biggest addition came when it signed free agent running back Derrick Henry, whose 1,921 rushing yards are the 11th most in a single season in NFL history. His powerful presence, especially late in games, was intended to strike fear in defenses and provide some relief for Jackson.

The Ravens will find out if Jackson has learned how to lean on an upgraded supporting cast, avoid uncharacteristic mistakes and use his past postseason experience to zero in on his ultimate goal when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Saturday's AFC wild-card game (8 p.m. ET, Prime Video).