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Lamar Jackson leads Baltimore Ravens to NFL playoff revenge win upon Tennessee Titans

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This was the Ravens’ mantra the entire season, throughout the week and, above all, throughout the day on Sunday when they outlived the Titans, their enemies, 20-13, in the AFC special case season finisher round in Nashville.

That word “finish” was imprinted on Ravens T-shirts. It was referred to in group gatherings. Ravens mentor John Harbaugh did everything shy of getting Tony Robbins for a persuasive discourse to help his players to remember that mission.

The Ravens completed on Sunday. They completed a slugfest of a game where they fell behind 10-0 and afterward clutched the 17-10 lead they took to endure and progress.

Presently they’ll play in following end of the week’s divisional round, either at Kansas City or Buffalo, forthcoming the result of Sunday’s late game between the Browns and Steelers. A Steelers win and the Ravens (12-5) play the Chiefs in Kansas City. A Browns win and the Ravens will head out to Buffalo to play the Bills.

Of most quick significance, however, the Ravens won their first playoff game since 2014.

“Right now, for me, this is the best win ever,’’ Harbaugh said.

Coming from a mentor who’s won a Super Bowl and taken the Ravens to the playoff in nine of his 13 years in Baltimore, those were solid words.

“Not just because of what was at stake, but because it had so much meaning for our guys and the things that we’ve been through together this year, and how our guys have responded, how our leaders have led,’’ Harbaugh said. “This may be the best win I’ve ever been associated with.’’

Protectively, the Ravens were splendid, holding the Titans’ 2,000-yard running back Derrick Henry to 40 yards on 18 conveys. Henry scrambled for 195 yards in the Titans’ season finisher prevail upon the Ravens a year ago and he ran for 133 yards, including the match dominating 29-yard TD run in additional time, in November.

Upsettingly, the Ravens had quarterback Lamar Jackson, the ruling NFL MVP and perhaps the most unique parts in the group.

Jackson, who entered the day 0-2 in season finisher games, shook off a moderate beginning and completed 17 of 24 passing for 179 yards and an INT and he scrambled for 136 yards, including an electric 48-yard TD, on 16 conveys.

The Ravens moved up 401 yards of offense to 209 for the Titans. They out-surged the Titans 236-31.

“We finished,’’ Jackson said after the game. “We finished. We finally finished.’’

The Ravens, as well, gotten some flavorful vengeance all the while.

It was the Titans who took Baltimore out of the end of the playoffs last season as 10-point dark horses, delivering a 14-2 Ravens’ standard season good for nothing.

It, as well, was the Titans deleting a 21-10 lead in November to win 30-24 in additional time in Baltimore, where Tennessee players moved on the Ravens’ logo at midfield.

Along these lines, when the Ravens’ Marcus Peters blocked Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill with 1:50 leftover in the game, he ran to the Titans’ midfield logo, spun the football on it and moved on it with the remainder of his protective colleagues.

“I felt like it was a good time to go ahead and do that, so we did it,’’ Ravens defensive tackle Derek Wolfe said. “It wasn’t a disrespect thing. It was like a team-unity thing. We accomplished something as a team so we went out there and took a little bit of revenge, I guess.’’

At the point when the game was finished, Jackson, rather than remaining on the field for standard postgame handshakes with the adversary, ran off the field, through the passage and into the Baltimore storage space, where he was later granted the game ball by Harbaugh.

Jackson recognized his contempt for what he felt was disregard with respect to the Titans in November and stated, “There was no reason for us to shake hands.’’

Titans coach Mike Vrabel said, “We won the division, hosted a home playoff game. Today it wasn’t good enough.’’

With respect to the Ravens, they have greater plans than essentially winning their first playoff game in quite a while.

“If we win a Super Bowl,’’ Wolfe said, “we’ll be eternal.’’

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India Takes 1-0 Lead as Gill’s 87 and Rana’s Three-Wicket Haul Sink England

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India Takes 1-0 Lead as Gill’s 87 and Rana’s Three-Wicket Haul Sink England

India started their three-match ODI series against England on a winning note, securing a four-wicket victory in the first match at VCA Stadium on Thursday. The win was powered by Shubman Gill’s 87-run knock and a three-wicket haul from debutant Harshit Rana.

England’s Innings: A Strong Start but a Sluggish Finish

After winning the toss, England skipper Jos Buttler opted to bat first. Openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett gave their team a flying start, adding 73 runs in just 53 balls. Salt was particularly aggressive, smashing 43 off 26 deliveries, including three sixes and five boundaries. However, a mix-up between the wickets led to his unfortunate run-out.

England then suffered a setback, losing two wickets in quick succession. Harshit Rana struck on his debut, dismissing Duckett (32) with a brilliant diving catch by Yashasvi Jaiswal. Soon after, Harry Brook was dismissed for a three-ball duck, reducing England to 77/3.

Veteran batter Joe Root (19) tried to stabilize the innings alongside Buttler, but Ravindra Jadeja trapped him LBW before he could make a significant impact.

Buttler and Bethell’s Effort Goes in Vain

Despite the setbacks, Jos Buttler played a responsible innings, scoring 52 off 67 balls, marking his first ODI half-century in India. He stitched a crucial partnership with Jacob Bethell, who contributed 51 off 64 deliveries, including three fours and a six.

However, once Buttler fell to Axar Patel in the 33rd over, England collapsed from 170/4 to 206/7. Rana sent Liam Livingstone (5) back to the pavilion, and Mohammed Shami cleaned up Brydon Carse (10). Jadeja then struck again, dismissing Bethell LBW, leaving England all out for 248 in 47.4 overs.

India’s Bowlers Shine

  • Harshit Rana (3/53) made an impressive debut.
  • Ravindra Jadeja (3/26) was economical and deadly.
  • Mohammed Shami (1/38) kept the pressure on.

India’s Chase: Gill Anchors the Innings

Chasing 249, India had a shaky start. Yashasvi Jaiswal, playing his maiden ODI, was caught behind for 15 off 22 balls. Skipper Rohit Sharma’s poor form continued, as he departed for just 2 runs.

Despite early setbacks, Shreyas Iyer took charge with a 31-ball half-century. His 59-run knock, featuring two sixes and nine boundaries, shifted momentum in India’s favor. He also shared a 94-run stand with Gill in just 64 balls, accelerating India’s chase.

Gill and Patel Take India Home

After Iyer’s dismissal, Axar Patel was promoted to No. 5, forming a 108-run partnership with Gill. Patel played a composed innings, scoring his maiden ODI fifty (52 runs off 58 balls).

Gill, on the other hand, paced his innings brilliantly. Battling cramps, he played some exquisite shots, hitting 14 boundaries in his 87-run innings off 96 balls. Unfortunately, he missed out on a century when Saqib Mahmood cramped him for room, leading to a catch at mid-on.

Despite his departure, India comfortably chased the target in 38.4 overs, winning with 11.2 overs to spare.

Series Status and Next Match

With this win, India leads the three-match series 1-0. The second ODI will be played in Cuttack on Sunday, where England will look to bounce back.

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NFC Secures Pro Bowl Games Victory with Flag Football Win Over AFC

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NFC Secures Pro Bowl Games Victory with Flag Football Win Over AFC

For the third year in a row, the NFC dominated the Pro Bowl Games and showcased its strength in flag football.

One week before the Kansas City Chiefs sought their third straight Super Bowl title, the NFC achieved its own three-peat, beating the AFC 76-63 in all events, including a 56-50 victory in the flag football matchup on Sunday.

Flag football’s dominance continues


Since the Pro Bowl switched to flag football in 2023, the NFC has gone undefeated in the new format.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff led the charge, earning Offensive MVP honors after completing 11 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns.

On defense, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. made a huge impact in his first Pro Bowl, intercepting New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and returning him eight yards for a touchdown, earning him the Defensive MVP award.

A competitive leap with a big incentive

The shift to flag football has increased competition as players are not as concerned about injury risks compared to the previous tackle format.

However, a financial incentive also played a role in the NFC’s determination to win.

“We prepared to win,” exclaimed Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. “They told us what the price was, and I thought, ‘Maybe we should do something more.'”

Each member of the winning team took home $92,000, while the member of the losing team received $46,000.

A winning formula for the future of the Pro Bowl


After years of debate over the format of the Pro Bowl as a result of the declining intensity of tackle football, the flag football model appears to have revived the event.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker, who has played in both versions, has expressed a clear preference for flag football.

“I like this more because it gives the fans a chance to see our faces and who we are off the field,” Baker said. “We compete, but we keep it very civil.”

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold agreed: “Vlag is a lot of fun, especially after the season where the guys have been kind of chill for three weeks. It’s good to make a game like this.”

Skills Battle Highlights


In Sunday’s additional skills challenges, the NFC continued its dominance by winning the relays and tug-of-war competitions, while the AFC vouched for a victory in the “Point Perfect” event.

With three consecutive Pro Bowl victories, the NFC has cemented itself as the team to beat in the new era of flag football.

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Lamar Jackson Expresses Frustration After Ravens’ Playoff Exit Against the Bills

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Lamar Jackson Expresses Frustration After Ravens' Playoff Exit Against the Bills

After another disappointing playoff exit, Lamar Jackson made it clear he wouldn’t pin the Baltimore Ravens’ 27-25 AFC Divisional loss to the Buffalo Bills on Mark Andrews’ dropped pass during a critical late-game 2-point conversion.

Instead, the reigning NFL MVP channeled his frustration toward the Ravens’ three uncharacteristic turnovers.

“Every time we’re in situations like this, turnovers play a role,” Jackson said, slapping one hand against the other. “We can’t have that, and that’s why we lost the game. You can see it — we’re moving the ball beautifully, but we need to hold on to the ball. I’m sorry for my language, but this is frustrating. I’m tired of it.”

Despite the turnovers — including two by Jackson — the Ravens had a chance to force overtime in the fourth quarter. Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely for a 24-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 27-25 with just 1:33 remaining.

On the ensuing 2-point conversion, Jackson’s pass hit Andrews in the chest, but the ball slipped through his hands as he fell backward in the end zone.

“There’s no one with more heart or fight than Mark,” said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. “We wouldn’t even be in this position without him. Destiny is shaped by how you handle moments like these, and Mark will respond with resilience.”

Andrews declined to speak with reporters following a game in which he made rare mistakes. Before Sunday, he hadn’t dropped a pass since Week 6. Against the Bills, he dropped two, including the pivotal 2-point conversion, and fumbled near midfield during the fourth quarter — only the second fumble of his career.

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton defended his teammate. “One play doesn’t define anyone,” he said. “Mark is the all-time-leading touchdown receiver in Ravens history. For anyone to criticize him is unfair. He’s been a consistent leader and workhorse for this team.”

Jackson also offered words of support for Andrews. “I’m just as hurt as Mark,” he said. “This loss isn’t on him. It’s a team effort. Everyone played a role. Mark has been incredible all season, and sometimes things just don’t go our way. We need to figure it out as a team.”

Jackson, however, wasn’t immune to errors. After throwing a career-low four interceptions all season, he threw one early in the game and fumbled on the following possession while scrambling under pressure. It was an uncharacteristically erratic performance, marking his fourth postseason game with both an interception and a fumble.

“Protecting the ball is the top priority, and I didn’t do that,” Jackson admitted. “As the leader, I need to set the example, and I didn’t deliver today. That’s on me.”

The Ravens have yet to win back-to-back playoff games during Jackson’s seven seasons as their starter. Now, he’ll face another offseason with the elusive Super Bowl remaining just out of reach.

“I have to get past this because we’re so close,” Jackson said. “I’m tired of being right there. We need to seal the deal, punch that ticket, and get it done. It starts with getting better in the offseason.”

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