If the Ravens (12-3) defeat Miami on Sunday, they will guarantee the top seed and home field advantage for the whole playoff run. However, the Dolphins (11-4) are aware that a win will give them a chance to take that spot in the final week of the season.
Between two teams who have already clinched a postseason spot and two of the league’s most fascinating quarterbacks—the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa and the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson—it looks to be an incredible game.
With 3,357 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 786 rushing yards under his belt, Jackson is presently the favorite to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award.
In his strongest season to date, Tagovailoa has produced even greater stats, leading the league in passing yards (4,214) and completion percentage (70.5%), ranking second in yards per attempt (8.5), and scoring 26 throwing touchdowns.
Jackson’s chances are enhanced, though, by the fact that the Ravens have faced a difficult schedule, winning nine games against teams with a winning record, but there were doubts about their capacity to overcome the best teams in the league up to Miami’s Christmas Eve victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
The commentators also point out that Tyreek Hill, the fastest and finest receiver in the NFL, helps Tagovailoa have an explosive offense.
But if the Miami quarterback can lead the Dolphins to victories over the Ravens and the Buffalo Bills on the penultimate day of the season, he may still be able to edge out Jackson for the honor. Jackson was plagued by concussions during last year’s season.
When asked this week about winning the MVP award, Tagovailoa replied he didn’t give a damn, but he was quite complimentary of his opponent.
“He’s really talented. That is exactly who he is and what he does. With his ability to throw the ball long and alter direction while running, he is a game-changer. Then, with his legs, he may make you miss. Thus, I greatly admire him,” he remarked.
Jackson remarked that he has idolized Tagovailoa ever since he emerged at the University of Alabama, and the sentiment is reciprocal.
“At that time, his poise and game simply won me over. I thought he would one year win the Heisman Trophy. I told him in a message that “you need to win a Heisman.” “You have my vote,” he said.
“I really enjoy his game. He is an incredible quarterback. He simply needs to carry on with his current activities; this week, he added.
This weekend has a lot of games across the league, and even though they haven’t played well lately, the Kansas City Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl winners, have a chance to advance to the postseason.
