Copyright yardbarker
Let’s talk numbers, because Jackson’s comeback performance was straight-up video game material. He completed 18 of 23 passes for 204 yards and four touchdowns, posting a ridiculous 78.3% completion percentage and a passer rating of 143.2. Jackson looked completely unbothered by the month-long layoff. You know that feeling when you haven’t ridden a bike in years, but somehow your body just remembers? That’s what this felt like, except instead of wobbling down the street, Jackson was threading passes through NFL defenses like he’d been doing it all season. The hamstring that sidelined him since September 28 did not impact him. Jackson added 14 rushing yards on five carries, and while that might not jump off the stat sheet, anyone watching could see the explosiveness was back. Miami’s defense spent the entire night looking like they were trying to catch smoke. Why This Award Means More Than Just Another Trophy This marks Jackson’s 14th career AFC Offensive Player of the Week award, which is impressive enough on its own. But the timing of this one hits different. Coming back from injury is never easy, especially when you’re the type of quarterback who relies on mobility as much as arm talent. There were legitimate questions about whether Jackson would look rusty, whether the hamstring would limit his running ability, whether the Ravens’ offense would still click. Jackson answered all those questions with authority. He didn’t just play well. He played like someone who had something to prove. The pocket presence was crisp, the decision-making was sharp, and when he did decide to take off running, it was clear that the burst was still there. Ravens fans have been through this movie before. They’ve seen what happens when Jackson gets rolling, and Thursday night felt like the beginning of another one of those magical stretches that makes you believe this team can beat anyone on any given Sunday. The Competition Wasn’t Slouching Either Let’s give credit where it’s due – Jackson beat out some serious competition for this award. Josh Allen threw for over 200 yards with three total touchdowns and just three incompletions. That’s the kind of performance that usually wins these things. Brock Bowers had himself a day with 12 catches, 127 yards, and three touchdowns. Even Joe Flacco threw for 470 yards and four touchdowns, though he did toss two picks that probably cost him the hardware. The fact that Jackson’s performance stood out among that group speaks volumes about just how dominant he was against Miami. Sometimes the eye test matters more than the raw numbers, and anyone who watched that Ravens offense Thursday night saw something special brewing. What This Means For Baltimore’s Playoff Push Here’s where things get interesting from a bigger picture perspective. The Ravens are sitting at 3-5, which sounds rough until you realize they’re only a game and a half behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North. This division is up for grabs, and getting Jackson back healthy at the right time could be the difference between watching the playoffs from home and making another deep run. The two-game winning streak feels different now with Jackson back under center. There’s an energy and unpredictability that backup quarterbacks, no matter how capable, just can’t replicate. When Jackson is healthy and rolling, the Ravens become one of those teams that nobody wants to face in January. The Bigger Picture: MVP Talk Isn’t Crazy Jackson will not be the NFL MVP again this season. That ship has probably sailed, given the time missed and the team’s record. But if he keeps playing like Thursday night, don’t be surprised if his name starts creeping back into those conversations. He’s now thrown 14 touchdowns against just one interception this season, with a rushing touchdown thrown in for good measure. The scary thing for the rest of the AFC? This felt like Jackson just getting warmed up. The rust is officially shaken off, the hamstring is healthy, and the Ravens offense looked like it remembered why it was supposed to be one of the league’s most dangerous units. Thursday night wasn’t just a good game for Jackson – it was a statement. A reminder that when he’s healthy and dialed in, there might not be a more dynamic quarterback in the NFL. The Ravens faithful have been waiting patiently for this version of their quarterback to return, and based on what we saw in Miami, it was worth the wait. For defenses around the league, Jackson’s AFC Offensive Player of the Week award should serve as a warning: the Ravens’ most dangerous weapon is officially back in business.
