While many consider Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson the best player in the sport right now, ESPN’s Ryan Clark says that the reigning NFL MVP’s playoff record doesn’t reflect that greatness.
On Tuesday’s episode of First Take, the discussion was about who has the more disappointing playoff record, Jackson or Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott? Clark thinks Jackson’s playoff run is the more disappointing.
“I’m going to go Lamar Jackson and here’s why expectations are the breeding ground for the greatest disappointment he says. “There is no player that has high expectations during the regular season than Lamar Jackson.”
.@RealRClark25 says Lamar Jackson has been more disappointing in the playoffs than Dak Prescott 👀 pic.twitter.com/oUOHjCloKb
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 23, 2024
Clark says although Prescott is very good, the expectations are higher for Jackson, which is true. Jackson is a two-time league MVP but has yet so far in his career to lead his team to a Super Bowl.
What’s also hurting Jackson’s legacy is not coming through in big games like last year’s playoff matchup between the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs, a game in which Jackson struggled and the Ravens lost.
“You gotta show up, you gotta be at least who you were during the regular season,” Clark said. “We’re not asking Lamar Jackson to raise his level of play, because we’ve seen him play at such a high level. He had a chance to prove that now he’s ready to take that next step and he fell short.”
Clark is not the first one to call out Jackson’s play in the playoffs. While Prescott’s struggles are more amplified because of who he plays for, the drumbeat around Jackson’s reputation will only get louder the longer it takes for the Ravens to get to the Super Bowl.
