The Baltimore Ravens walked away from their 2018 regular season finale with a win vs. Cleveland Browns. The following 3 players are deserving of game balls:
Lamar Jackson:
Lamar Jackson wound up capping off an incredible rookie season with a 6-1 record as a starter and an AFC North division title. Because of Jackson’s efforts, the Baltimore Ravens are headed back to the post-season for the first time since 2014. Jackson has been electric throughout the year, and Sunday was no different.
Jackson completed 14 of his 24 pass attempts for 179-yards, but (once again) his play was capitalized by his legs. “Action Jackson” rushed for 90-yards and scored the Ravens only two touchdowns on the day. This week was no different than any other, as Lamar Jackson kept the Cleveland defense guessing all day.
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We all know that down the road Lamar Jackson will need to alter his game to be a better passer, if he wants a long, sustained NFL career. But until then, what Jackson’s doing right now is winning Baltimore games, and opposing teams simply can’t catch up. Let the young man keep doing what he’s doing, because he’s got the Ravens scaring every team in the AFC right now. Jackson is deserving of our first game ball today.
Jimmy Smith:
Welcome back to the good graces of Ravens Flock, Jimmy Smith! Truth be told, fans should know that Smith has improved week-by-week after recovering from a torn Achilles and a four-game suspension to start 2018. Well, Smith’s week 17 of this season was his coup de gras, as the eight-year vet picked off the Browns’ rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield twice on the afternoon.
Funny enough, Smith’s two interception game actually tied him for the team lead in interceptions this year, with fellow cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Marlon Humphrey. While Smith’s day may be defined by his stats, he truly shined as a lock-down guy for Baltimore on the outside.
It was certainly an awesome sight to Jimmy Smith return to form, even if it’s just for this week. Smith’s efforts were a key factor in the Ravens win vs. the Browns, and we’re more than happy to give our second game ball to Mr. Jimmy Smith.
C.J. Mosley:
For many people in Ravens Flock, C.J. Mosley went from “zero” to “hero” on Sunday afternoon, but you should know by now that Mosley has been impressive all year long. Mosley’s 2018 stat-line is lackluster on the surface (105 tackles, 0.5 sacks, one interception), but it does no justice to the gritty, dirty work he’s put in all season long for the purple and black.
Yes, it remains true that Mosley is far from perfect in coverage, but he’s more than adept at making the big-play when it matters most. This was exactly the case on Sunday, as Mosley tipped a 4th down pass from Baker Mayfield into his own hands, effectively sealing the game away and assuring Baltimore’s ticket to the playoffs.
When the team needed its defense to step up and make a play, Mosley answered the call. Love him or hate him, the five-year vet from the University of Alabama dubbed “Half-Man, Half-Amazing” by the Ravens themselves will be getting a fat contract this offseason. Hopefully Baltimore is the team to do this, but until that day comes, congrats to C.J. Mosley on earning our final game ball for the 2018 regular season!
2018 was certainly a roller-coaster ride for all of us, but this year is far from over. Baltimore is now headed to the playoffs with a rematch vs. the Los Angeles Chargers set up. With the way this team is playing right now, nobody wants a piece of the Ravens. Based on how this team is playing, behind its grit, determination, and swagger, who can blame them?