Lamar Jackson deserves to be the 2023 MVP

It’s been a season without a real frontrunner for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the NFL, but one player has continued to go about his business, while often being overlooked, and looks set to claim the converted award for the 2023 season.

Now the undoubted favourite, Lamar Jackson has led his Baltimore Ravens to another AFC North title win, and return as the #1 seed for the AFC for the first time since Jackson’s last MVP year in 2019.

Week 17’s statement win over the Miami Dolphins cemented the Ravens’ place as the best team in their conference, but also Jackson’s spot atop the QB rankings across the league. Having sealed a blockbuster new contract before the start of the season, Jackson has proved many of his doubters wrong and helped his team rebuild into one of the league’s best.

The brilliance of Jackson, alongside an elite defense, makes Baltimore now the most dangerous team to come up against. The game against the Dolphins was extremely even in the first half of the encounter, but the Ravens’ ability to produce big moments through big-game players means they are always a real threat, no matter the opponent. They were able to turn the tide with ease, resulting in a blowout by scoring 42 of the game’s final 48 points.

With his five touchdown passes, a perfect 158.3 passer rating and 356 yards of total offense, Jackson was the star of the show, especially against a team who came into the fixture with 11 wins and a chance to move into the AFC’s top spot. Coupled with the dominant display against the San Francisco 49ers, Jackson’s late emergence this year means he’s the likely winner of the MVP award again.

The Ravens have won won six straight games since a Week 11 home loss to divisional rivals the Cleveland Browns, who earned a playoff place this weekend. At 13-3, Baltimore have earned an opportunity to rewrite history following their postseason exit four years ago.

Even with the amount of injuries the team still has, they find a way to deal with those hurdles and build around Jackson to succeed. They’re Super Bowl favourites, and Lamar continues to prove to us all why he’s one of the best in the business.