The Baltimore Ravens didn’t just win their Sunday Night Football matchup against the Buffalo Bills-they completely dominated. For Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, it was a straightforward victory that kept them in strong form for the rest of the season.
However, not everyone was satisfied, and some fans were quick to make their displeasure known. In an era where sports betting and fantasy football have become nearly as crucial to the NFL‘s popularity as the games themselves, many bettors were left disappointed with Jackson’s performance, despite the win.
Lamar Jackson unhappy postgame reaction reveals true feelings about Cowboys win
Jackson, while instrumental in his team’s win, ended the game with fairly modest individual stats. He attempted just 18 passes, totaling 156 yards, and threw for two touchdowns. He also added 54 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy those who had placed bets on Jackson’s stat lines. Many of them were banking on more-specifically, on Jackson surpassing his projected passing yards total.
Despite the pressure from the fantasy and betting communities, Jackson took a sensible approach to the blowout. With the Ravens comfortably leading 21-3 at halftime, there was no reason for Jackson to take unnecessary risks. Baltimore’s top priority is to keep their franchise quarterback healthy-especially considering Jackson’s history with injuries. The focus was on preserving his longevity rather than padding the box score.
Jackson received tons of criticism online
Unsurprisingly, this approach drew criticism from certain fans, and Jackson became the target of some heated complaints on social media. In response, Jackson was unapologetic, making it clear on Monday that he wasn’t concerned about anyone’s bets or fantasy lineups. He bluntly addressed those upset about their losing parlays, saying he simply didn’t care.
Jackson even echoed the sentiment of a fan who argued that the rising popularity of fantasy football and sports betting has turned NFL players into little more than “statistics on legs.” While it’s true that the league’s current financial success is partly driven by this betting and fantasy culture, Jackson remains steadfast in focusing on the ultimate goal: winning a Super Bowl.
The Ravens didn’t invest $260 million in Jackson to deliver big numbers for fantasy managers-they made that commitment to secure a championship. However, there is some irony here, as the league’s massive revenue, and by extension, players’ lucrative contracts, are in part fueled by the enthusiasm of fantasy and betting fans. Like it or not, the culture of fandom today includes millions of people who care just as much about stats as they do about wins.
Even so, Jackson made his stance abundantly clear-he’s focused on victories, not on pleasing bettors or fantasy owners.
