Ravens Clinch Playoffs After SNF Win Over the Jaguars
As we get closer to the 2023 NFL playoffs, each matchup is vitally important, as it could make or break their run for the postseason or end up making you play on the road instead of at home when it comes to playing in late January. The Jacksonville Jaguars needed this to win this game at home to increase their lead for first place in the AFC South division, while the Baltimore Ravens could become the first team in the AFC to clinch the playoffs if they recorded the win. Well, the Ravens, particularly their defense, looked unstoppable as they cruised past the Jaguars 23-7, retaining the first seed in the AFC playoff picture and becoming the first AFC team to clinch. Let’s look into how Baltimore came out victorious in this Sunday Night Football matchup.
Ravens’ kicker Justin Tucker knocked down a 43-yard field goal to get the first points up on the board for either side, eight and a half minutes into the ballgame. It wouldn’t be until there was a minute left until halftime when the next score occurred. Baltimore’s quarterback Lamar Jackson threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to receiver Isaiah Likely, and with Tucker nailing in the extra point, the Ravens had a 10-0 lead at halftime. Jacksonville finally made this game competitive during the third quarter, when quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw a 65-yard touchdown to wide receiver Jamal Agnew. Jaguars’ kicker Brandon McManus kicked in the extra point to make it a 10-7 ballgame. It would be all Baltimore in the fourth quarter, as first running back Gus Edwards ran in one yard for a touchdown. With Tucker hitting the extra point, the Ravens had a ten-point lead. Then, Tucker would once again hit a 26 and a 34-yard field goal to make this a 23-7 Sunday Night Football victory over the Jaguars.
Besides the 65-yard touchdown, Jacksonville’s offense struggled in this Sunday Night Football matchup. They went three for 13 on third down conversions, they had 16 first downs compared to Baltimore’s 25, and they fumbled the ball twice which gave the Ravens defense a huge opportunity to set the offense up to score. While three NFC teams have clinched the playoffs through 15 weeks of action, the Baltimore Ravens stand alone as the only team in the AFC to clinch thus far. We’ll see a potential Super Bowl matchup on Christmas Day when the Ravens travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers. The Jaguars won’t travel far, as they’ll head to Tampa Bay and face the Buccaneers.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson went 14 for 24 hurling 171 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Jackson also led the team in rushing yards as he ran 12 times for 97 yards. Baltimore’s wide receiver Isaiah Likely had five catches for 70 yards and a touchdown in the win. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence went 25 for 43 tossing 264 passing yards and a touchdown. Lawrence also led his team in rushing, as he had four carries for 41 yards. Jacksonville’s wide receiver Jamal Agnew had two receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown.
