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Lamar Jackson has struggled in his career against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He didn’t change that narrative on Sunday.
The Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback threw for just 207 yards, one touchdown and an interception in his team’s 18-16 loss against Pittsburgh in a crucial AFC North showdown. It was not exactly an MVP-level performance.
He led the Ravens to a late touchdown drive with just over a minute remaining, but the Ravens failed to convert the two-point conversion and the Steelers killed the clock from there, securing the win.
The loss moved the Ravens to 7-4 on the season, while the Steelers now hold a commanding lead in the division with an 8-2 mark.
Jackson—who also rushed for 46 yards—wasn’t alone in his struggles. Derrick Henry was bottled up for much of the game (65 rushing yards, one touchdown) and lost a fumble. Isaiah Likely lost a fumble as well. Justin Tucker missed a pair of crucial field goals in the first half. And the Ravens struggled with discipline and were penalized 12 times for 80 yards.
Even his interception was a tough break, as Payton Wilson made an absurd play to steal the ball from Justice Hill:
But Jackson’s struggles against the Steelers were a storyline coming into the game, and the reaction on social media after the contest further amplified that talking point. His teammates and Baltimore’s coaches weren’t safe from criticism either:
nick wright @getnickwright
As long as he’s not playing the Chiefs (dynasty of his era), the Steelers (his team’s hated rival), or in the playoffs, Lamar is as good as any QB ever.
Unfortunately, in those spots (4-12 record, 75 rating, more turnovers than TDs) he’s simply bad.
Unpopular but undeniable. 🤷♂️
Jackson is now 1-4 in his career against the Steelers, with five touchdowns and eight interceptions in those games. He’s lost four straight starts against them and has been sacked 22 times in those contests.
And while it seems like a small amount of total games against a divisional opponents, he’s missed six contests against the Steelers because of either injury, illness or twice due to late-season rest after the Ravens clinched the top overall seed in the AFC.
Jackson has been brilliant both this season and in his career. But the Steelers remain his bogeyman, and the MVP conversation just got a lot more interesting in the process.
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