When Lamar Jackson walked off the field in Orchard Park last January, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback knew he left it all on the field.
In the Buffalo Bills' 27-25 playoff victory over the Ravens, Jackson combined for close to 300 yards and two touchdowns.
However …
Reliable tight end Mark Andrews dropped a potential game-tying two-point conversion throw from Jackson.
And the highlights of the work Jackson did to mount the failed comeback mattered not.
With that loss came further scrutiny. Jackson has failed to produce consistent playoff success, and to many of the NFL critics. his legacy has taken a hit.
Even with two MVP awards.
Buffalo's victory has had a lasting impact on Jackson this offseason, so much so that the scrambling star is looking for revenge in 2025.
"We're going to bounce back," Jackson said after Tuesday's minicamp practice via Jamison Hensley of ESPN. "And when we come back, I feel like we're going to have vengeance on our mind."
Buffalo and Baltimore will face off on Sunday Night Football in Week 1. At the top of the storylines will be the last two MVPs competing against each other. Jackson won the award in 2023, while Josh Allen won it in 2024.
If Jackson can find a way to knock off the Bills, it will be a good step in Baltimore's direction to prove the team has a Super Bowl-caliber roster. It's another chance for the Bills to widen the gap between them and other top teams in the conference. …
And for vengeance.