Lamar Jackson is facing backlash on social media after a poor performance in the Baltimore Ravens’ loss to the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. Is it unfair primacy bias from other postseason struggles, or was the chatter justified?
NFL Fans React to Lamar Jackson’s Underwhelming Performance in Ravens’ Loss
While anticipation was high for Jackson after having the best statistical season of his career (and the No. 1 rating on PFN’s QB+ metric), he was unable to live up to the hype in the playoffs, turning the ball over twice early in the Ravens’ loss to the Bills.
These turnovers would prove to be very impactful as the Bills won by just two points. Though Jackson isn’t completely to blame, his interception was nowhere near a defender, which sparked a lot of backlash on social media.
One fan called it a “playoff implosion,” saying, “Oh god… another classic Lamar Jackson playoff implosion coming? Seriously what was this??”
Oh God… another classic Lamar Jackson playoff implosion coming? Seriously what was this??
pic.twitter.com/NRNAY0Mk56— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella)
One fan even said that the quarterbacks’ respective performances in this game settles the MVP debate for this season.
“That settles it. The debate that never should have been one is over. Josh Allen is a better quarterback than Lamar Jackson, and he will be the MVP.”
That settles it. The debate that never should have been one is over. Josh Allen is a better quarterback than Lamar Jackson, and he will be the MVP. pic.twitter.com/4Z23XZP3zu
— Pete (@Pete_Martuneac)
Another fan kept a running gag going as they compared Jackson to James Harden, who is an NBA star who tends to underperform in the playoffs. More than that, he’s one of the best players to have never won a championship, similar to Jackson who’s now won at least two MVPs with no real postseason success.
Lamar Jackson every year in the Playoffs pic.twitter.com/usZwg6M3UY
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_)
With all of that being said, Jackson wasn’t the only quarterback to walk away with criticism from social media.
Bills QB Josh Allen Gets Slammed for Complaining to Refs Over Roughness Call
Despite the victory, Josh Allen has received a lot of backlash due to his complaining to the referees throughout the game. That said, one play in particular stood out as he was very emphatic about wanting the call. This was as a defender slammed Dawson Knox in the backfield following the blow of the whistle, though it was a continuation of the tackle.
Fans were very critical of Allen in the replies to this tweet, even comparing him to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes who was called out for “flopping” in his victory over the Houston Texans.
“‘Touching the quarterback, defense, any of ’em. 50 yards. Automatic touchdown and two point conversion.’ Who does he think he is? Patrick Mahomes?!?,” said one fan.
Though Allen came away with the victory, it’s interesting that he also received backlash. That said, it wasn’t his play, which unfortunately wasn’t the case for Jackson.
