Lamar Jackson records perfect rating as Ravens win AFC North ...
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Isaiah Likely makes incredible one-handed catch and score (0:17)
Isaiah Likely makes an impressive one-handed catch and fights to the end zone for a 35-yard TD. (0:17)
Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterDec 31, 2023, 04:19 PM ET
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Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.BALTIMORE -- In a game and performance reminiscent of 2019, Lamar Jackson looked like the unquestioned NFL MVP as the Ravens clinched the AFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
With Jackson recording a perfect passer rating (158.3) and throwing five touchdown passes, the Ravens routed the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on Sunday to secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the AFC playoffs.
It's just the second time that the Ravens have earned the AFC's No. 1 seed in the franchise's 28-year existence.
Entering Sunday as the betting favorite for NFL MVP, Jackson produced his third career game with a perfect passer rating, which is tied for the second most in NFL history. He trails only Ben Roethlisberger, who has done it four times.
Jackson finished 18-of-21 for 321 yards. With fans chanting "MVP" with every score, he threw touchdown passes of 20 yards to Justice Hill, 75 yards to Zay Flowers, 35 and 7 yards to Isaiah Likely and 4 yards to Patrick Ricard.
It was Jackson's first five-touchdown game since his 2019 NFL MVP season.
Staying at home for the playoffs is a rarity for the Ravens. Despite the Ravens' success in the postseason -- two Super Bowls and four AFC Championship Game appearances -- Baltimore has played at home only seven times in 28 playoff games.
The Ravens are hoping they can take advantage of the No. 1 seed more than they did in 2019. Baltimore was upset by the Tennessee Titans 28-12 in the AFC divisional round.
