For the first time since Lamar Jackson took over as the Baltimore Ravens starting quarterback, the former Louisville Cardinal Heisman Trophy winner faced the boo-birds from his home crowd. Despite that, he lasted the entire AFC Wild Card Game on Sunday afternoon, but a comeback attempt fell short in a 23-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. It was another defensive battle between the two, who did battle in Week 16, but Michael Badgley kicked five field goals to power the Chargers to the Divisional Round. The win helps the Chargers avenge a 22-10 loss to the Ravens on their home field, as they look to earn two wins in one postseason for the first time since 2007, when they were the San Diego Chargers.
Badgley's big night set a franchise record for most field goals in a single playoff game, as he became the third kicker in NFL history to kick four field goals in the first half of a postseason contest. He connected from 21, 53, 40, 34, and 47 yards out, helping the Chargers build a 23-3 lead.
Jackson and the Ravens offense struggled to get anything going against the Chargers' defense, being held to one Justin Tucker field goal through three quarters. That led to the Baltimore faithful begging for Joe Flacco to be put back in under center, as they booed every time Jackson joined the Ravens' offense back on the field. Although, head coach John Harbaugh did not give in, and it nearly paid off late, as Jackson threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. He had one last chance to actually win the game, but he fumbled the ball for the third time on the day, which the Chargers recovered to seal the victory.
Jackson finished 14-of-29 for 194 yards and an interception, along with 54 yards rushing, and he really didn't have a lot of room to work, as he was sacked seven times. The AFC North Champions were in the playoffs for the first time since the 2014 season, as Jackson went 6-1 after taking over for the injured Flacco. The former Super Bowl winning quarterback was healthy on the sidelines on Sunday, but never had his number called.
Melvin Gordon ran for 40 yards and found the end zone on fourth down in the fourth quarter, while Phillip Rivers threw for 160 yards without turning the ball over in the win. The Chargers will stay on the road next week to visit the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon in the Divisional Playoff.
Badgley's big night set a franchise record for most field goals in a single playoff game, as he became the third kicker in NFL history to kick four field goals in the first half of a postseason contest. He connected from 21, 53, 40, 34, and 47 yards out, helping the Chargers build a 23-3 lead.
Jackson and the Ravens offense struggled to get anything going against the Chargers' defense, being held to one Justin Tucker field goal through three quarters. That led to the Baltimore faithful begging for Joe Flacco to be put back in under center, as they booed every time Jackson joined the Ravens' offense back on the field. Although, head coach John Harbaugh did not give in, and it nearly paid off late, as Jackson threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. He had one last chance to actually win the game, but he fumbled the ball for the third time on the day, which the Chargers recovered to seal the victory.
Jackson finished 14-of-29 for 194 yards and an interception, along with 54 yards rushing, and he really didn't have a lot of room to work, as he was sacked seven times. The AFC North Champions were in the playoffs for the first time since the 2014 season, as Jackson went 6-1 after taking over for the injured Flacco. The former Super Bowl winning quarterback was healthy on the sidelines on Sunday, but never had his number called.
Melvin Gordon ran for 40 yards and found the end zone on fourth down in the fourth quarter, while Phillip Rivers threw for 160 yards without turning the ball over in the win. The Chargers will stay on the road next week to visit the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon in the Divisional Playoff.
