Lamar Jackson showed true colours with message to Stroud after NFL playoff win
Lamar Jackson had some encouraging words for C.J. Stroud after beating the rookie's team in the NFL playoffs. Jackson told the young quarterback that this is just the "beginning" of his journey, even though Stroud's Houston Texans came up short against Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
At the M&T Bank Stadium, Jackson shone as the Ravens, who were the top seed in the AFC, won 34-10 against the Texans in the AFC Divisional Round. The match was tied at half-time, but then the Ravens scored three times in the second half and their exceptional defense stopped the Texans from scoring.
The Ravens showed they're a strong team towards the end of games, with Jackson proving he might be the best quarterback in the NFL right now. He was on form both throwing and running, making 16 out of 22 throws for 152 yards and two touchdowns, and also running for 100 yards and two more touchdowns.
On the other side, Stroud found it tough after a season where he has stood out as a rookie quarterback. The 22-year-old made 19 out of 33 throws for 175 yards and had a passer rating of 72.2 - far from his best performance out of 17 games, including the playoffs.
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But Stroud has shown his ability this season, especially with the help of his new coach DeMeco Ryans, with the future looking bright. Jackson seems to agree and he made sure to find Stroud and give him his thoughts after the game.
Jackson told Stroud on the field, "It's the beginning for you cuz. You feel me? You're gonna be there. You hear me? They're waiting on you. Send a jersey for me bro." In response, Stroud promised to send him a jersey and urged him to win the Super Bowl.
The Texans have had an impressive turnaround this season, going from a 3-13-1 record to finishing 10-7. Stroud has been a key player, setting records for passing yards in a game by a rookie (470), tying for most passing touchdowns in a game by a rookie (5), and making the most passes without an interception to start a career (191).
Stroud also led the team to a stunning playoff victory over the Cleveland Browns, becoming the youngest starting quarterback to win a playoff game and tying the record for most passing touchdowns in a playoff game by a rookie with his three scores.
While Jackson praised Stroud, he himself is facing a crucial postseason. After the win over the Texans, he now has a 2-3 playoff record. This was also the first time a Ravens team led by Jackson scored more than 20 points in a playoff game, with his four touchdowns matching the total of his first four playoff games combined.
Jackson made history against the Texans, becoming the first player in NFL history - regular season or playoffs - to score two passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, 100 rushing yards, and a passer rating of at least 100 in a single game. He threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Agholor in the second quarter and a 15-yard scoring strike to tight end Isaiah Likely in the fourth, while Jackson also ran for scores of 15 yards and 8 yards.
The Ravens are set to face the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 28. The winners will go on to play either the Detroit Lions or San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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