Lamar Jackson sends bold message to rest of AFC after Ravens trounce Steelers 28-14 in Wild Card round

In a commanding performance, the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-14 in the AFC Wild Card round, putting their offensive prowess and flair on full display. The dynamic duo of quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry spearheaded the victory, combining for 267 rushing yards and four total touchdowns.

The Ravens established their dominance early and never looked back. Baltimore went all guns blazing right from the get-go as Jackson orchestrated a 95-yard drive, capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass to wideout Rashod Bateman. This set the tone for a first half in which Baltimore ran away with a 21-0 lead.

The Steelers' defense was too busy to contain Derrick Henry, allowing Jackson to showcase his dual-threat capability as the two-time NFL MVP completed 16 of 21 passes for 175 yards and added 81 rushing yards.

Meanwhile, Henry’s impact was equally significant. He ran for 186 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns, consistently breaking through Pittsburgh’s defensive front. The Ravens’ ground game accumulated 299 rushing yards, setting a new record for the most allowed by the Steelers in a playoff game.

At the post-game press conference, Jackson stated that the Ravens got what they came for.

“To be honest, it wasn’t about the Steelers. We just wanted to win,” Jackson told reporters.

Jackson also mentioned that he didn’t even want to take his mother’s calls as he was so focused on winning the game.

The Ravens could host another playoff game next weekend, provided the Denver Broncos beat the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. In that case, the Houston Texans would come to Baltimore for an AFC Divisional Round showdown. If not, then the Ravens will travel to Buffalo for a fiery matchup between Jackson and fellow MVP candidate Josh Allen. But Jackson wasn't bothered about Denver's result.

“I’m not rooting for nobody,” Jackson said. "We’re ready. It doesn't matter. We've been on the road all season. You know, we ready. I believe our guys [are] ready."

His confidence reflects the team’s momentum as they advance deeper into the playoffs.

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Ravens run over Steelers, thanks to Lamar Jackson-Derrick Henry masterclass

The Steelers tested the Ravens' defense but failed to match up to what Jackson and Henry produced on the other side. Tonight's defeat marks Pittsburgh's fifth straight defeat this NFL campaign, two of which came in Baltimore. This was also the franchise's eighth consecutive playoff loss under head coach Mike Tomlin, leading to further scrutiny over the team’s postseason performance.

For the Ravens, the dominating victory over the Steelers serves as a statement of intent. With Jackson and Henry leading a potent offense, Baltimore has positioned itself as a formidable contender in the quest for the Super Bowl.