The Baltimore Ravens’ devastating playoff exit at the hands of the Buffalo Bills has sparked a heated debate among football fans and analysts. One of the most vocal critics of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been two-time Patriots Super Bowl champion, Rob Ninkovich.
Ninkovich, who played for the Patriots from 2009 to 2016, took to social media to express his frustration with Jackson’s performance in the playoff game. “Lamar Jackson is a special talent, but he’s got to learn to take care of the ball in big games,” Ninkovich tweeted. “Those two interceptions were killers. You can’t make those kinds of mistakes in the playoffs and expect to win.”
Ninkovich’s comments were echoed by many other analysts and fans, who felt that Jackson’s costly errors were a major factor in the Ravens’ 17-10 loss to the Bills. Jackson threw two interceptions, including one in the end zone, and also lost a fumble in the game.
While Jackson’s mistakes were certainly a key factor in the Ravens’ loss, some of his defenders pointed out that he was also under pressure from the Bills’ pass rush for much of the game. Jackson was sacked three times and hit several other times, which made it difficult for him to find open receivers and make accurate throws.
Despite these mitigating circumstances, Ninkovich remained critical of Jackson’s performance. “I’m not saying Lamar didn’t face any pressure, but he’s got to learn to handle it better,” Ninkovich said in a follow-up interview. “When you’re a quarterback in the NFL, you’re going to face pressure every week. You’ve got to be able to make plays under duress, and Lamar just didn’t do that on Saturday.”
Ninkovich’s comments sparked a heated debate among Ravens fans, with some defending Jackson’s performance and others criticizing his mistakes. However, most analysts and fans agree that Jackson needs to improve his decision-making and ball security if he wants to lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl championship.
As for Ninkovich, he’s not backing down from his criticism of Jackson. “I’m just telling it like it is,” Ninkovich said. “Lamar’s a talented player, but he’s got to learn to win in the playoffs. And that means taking care of the ball and making smart decisions under pressure.”
The Ravens’ playoff exit may have been disappointing, but it’s clear that Lamar Jackson and his teammates will be back stronger and more determined than ever in 2025. And with critics like Rob Ninkovich pushing them to be their best, they’ll have all the motivation they need to make a deep playoff run next season.
