Category: NFL Awards

Lamar Jackson is ‘The Real MVP’

Baltimore Ravens QB1 Lamar Jackson has taken home the 2024 NFL MVP Award, polishing his all-pro career with yet another milestone.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has taken home the 2024 NFL MVP Award, polishing his all-pro career with yet another milestone.

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NFL fans were dismayed after Jackson’s bad performance in the AFC championship and rightfully so. Still, Jackson led his team to the No. 1 seed in the AFC and was the leading rusher on a team that ranked No. 1 in rush yards per game. Jackson fell just one game away from his first-ever Super Bowl appearance, though the scorners remain in bliss by his shortcomings.

Ravens’ fans greatly want Jackson to win a Super Bowl championship and overcome the misnomers that he is incapable of winning big games. His 2-4 playoff record remains as the only blemish to his growing legacy. Hopefully, Jackson will use his MVP commemoration as motivation to fix the slight tendencies that are holding him back from greater glory.

WATCH: Ravens release hype video featuring Lil Wayne to celebrate Lamar Jackson’s 2nd NFL MVP

The Baltimore Ravens released this hype video featuring legendary rapper Lil Wayne to celebrate Lamar Jackson winning his second MVP award

Baltimore Ravens All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson is again the best player in the NFL after being named the clear-cut winner of the Associated Press Most Valuable Player award, announced Thursday evening at the NFL Honors program.

Jackson got 49 of 50 first-place votes; the other first place vote went to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Overall, in the voting, Jackson finished with 493 points.

After Jackson’s win, the Ravens social media team released this celebratory hype video featuring legendary rapper, Lil Wayne.

The video features congratulations from LeBron James, Peyton Manning, Ray Lewis, Larry Fitzgerald, and Carmelo Anthony among others.

It was the second MVP award of Jackson’s career. His other came in 2019; only Jim Brown, Patrick Mahomes, and Kurt Warner won two MVPs at the start of a job in less time.

Jackson becomes the 11th player in NFL history to win multiple MVP awards during his career joining Baltimore Colts QB Johnny Unitas, Browns RB Jim Brown, 49ers QB Joe Montana, 49ers QB Steve Young, Packers QB Brett Favre, Rams QB Kurt Warner, Colts QB Peyton Manning, Patriots QB Tom Brady. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes.

Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP, threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 821 yards and five scores. He helped the Baltimore Ravens (14-4) finish with the best record in the league and led them to a playoff win over Houston.

Jackson received 45 of 50 votes for AP first-team All-Pro.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson wins his 2nd career NFL MVP award

Baltimore Ravens All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson won his second Associated Press NFL MVP Award on Thursday night

Lamar Jackson stumbled again in the playoffs this season.

Still, the All-Pro Ravens quarterback is again the best player in the NFL after being named the clear-cut winner of the Associated Press Most Valuable Player award, announced Thursday evening at the NFL Honors program.

Jackson got 49 of 50 first-place votes; the other first-place vote went to Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen.

Overall, Jackson finished with 493 points in the voting. Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott was second with 152 points, and San Francisco 49ers running back was third with 147.

It was the second MVP award of Jackson’s career. His other came in 2019; only Jim Brown, Patrick Mahomes and Kurt Warner won two MVPs in less time to start a career.

Jackson becomes the 11th player in NFL history to win multiple MVP awards during his career. The others are: Brown, Mahomes, Warner, Baltimore Colts QB Johnny Unitas, 49ers QB Joe Montana, 49ers QB Steve Young, Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning, New England Patriots QB Tom Brady.

This season, Jackson threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 821 yards and five scores. He helped the Baltimore Ravens (14-4) finish with the best record in the league and led them to the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a playoff win over the Houston Texans.

Jackson received 45 of 50 votes for AP first-team All-Pro.

Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson finishes 4th in AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year voting

Baltimore Ravens All-Pro quarterback Lamar Jackson finished fourth in the Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year voting

Lamar Jackson may win the AP NFL MVP award, but Christian McCaffrey was voted the best offensive player.

The 49ers star logged 39 first-place votes, 32 more than Tyreek Hill, as he ran away with the Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award.

In what could be described as a shock, Jackson finished fourth, logging three first-place votes and 32 overall.

McCaffrey is also a finalist for AP NFL Most Valuable Player, the top award in the land, thanks to a 2023 season in which he led the NFL in touches, scrimmage yards, and scrimmage touchdowns, and posted a career-high 1,459 rushing yards.

Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP, threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 821 yards and five scores. He helped the Baltimore Ravens (14-4) finish with the best record in the league and led them to a playoff win over Houston.

Jackson received 45 of 50 votes for AP first-team All-Pro.

Ravens’ HC John Harbaugh finishes fourth in AP NFL Coach of the Year voting

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh finished fourth in the Associated Press’s NFL Coach of the Year award voting

John Harbaugh led Baltimore to the best record in the NFL during the regular season, but after an AFC title game loss, he also fell short in coach of the year voting.

The Browns swept the coaching awards, as Jim Schwartz was named AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year, and Kevin Stefanski joined him as the AP NFL Coach of the Year.

Harbaugh’s 172-109 record is one of the best in NFL history, and despite all the success he’s enjoyed in his 16 years with the organization, including a Super Bowl title in 2012, Harbaugh will enter 2024 under scrutiny after another disappointing finish.

Harbaugh has won just three playoff games in the last 11 seasons, and he’s 3-6 overall after beginning his career with a 9-4 postseason record.

Eagles’ DT Jalen Carter finishes 2nd in AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter finished 2nd to Texans Will Anderson in AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting

Jalen Carter was the front runner for most of the season, but after fading down the stretch, Houston Texans pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. has been named the Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Anderson received 16 first-place votes, compared to Carter’s 14, and he received 151 votes compared to Carter’s 122.

Anderson Jr. is the first Houston Texans player to win the award since 2009 and the third in franchise history. Anderson’s first-year head coach, DeMeco Ryans, won the prize for the Texans in 2006, and Brian Cushing captured the award in 2009. The Texans swept the rookie awards, with quarterback C.J. Stroud winning Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Anderson logged 45 tackles, ten tackles for loss, 22 quarterback hits, 7.0 sacks, and a pass defensed in 15 games — leading a Texans defense that improved from 24.7 points per game allowed in 2022 to 20.8 points per game allowed in 2023.

Anderson registered 59 pressures on the season, the third-most by a rookie over the last five seasons — trailing only Nick Bosa (80 in 2009) and Micah Parsons (67 in 2021).

It’s a frustrating finish to a season that started utterly dominant for Carter.

Through the first nine weeks, Carter generated 29 pressures (tied for eighth in the league among interior defensive linemen), according to Pro Football Focus, including four sacks and 20 hurries.

During the first half of the season, Carter played 49% of the defensive snaps (despite missing Week 6 against the New York Jets with an injury), second among Eagles defensive tackles behind only Fletcher Cox.

His production fell off down the stretch.

Carter finished his rookie year with 6.0 sacks, 33 tackles, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery (which he returned for a touchdown) in 16 regular-season games.

Carter started just one game and played 51 percent of the Eagles’ defensive snaps, but the ninth overall pick in the 2023 Draft was third on the team in sacks and fifth among all rookies.

Browns DC Jim Schwartz named AP 2023 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year

Cleveland Browns DC Jim Schwartz named AP 2023 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year over Ravens Todd Monken and former Ravens DC Mike Macdonald

Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was named the Associated Press 2023 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year on Thursday night at NFL Honors in Las Vegas.

Schwartz’s defense in Cleveland finished first in the league in yards allowed (270.2 per game), tied for fifth in takeaways (28) and sixth in sacks (49) in 2023.

In 2022, the Browns allowed 331.2 YPG, with ten takeaways and 34 sacks — Schwartz’s first year in Cleveland.

Baltimore had the NFL’s most talked about defense, but the Browns led the league in first downs allowed (253), third-down conversion rate (29.1%), and fourth-down conversion rate (40%). In comparison, opposing offenses were forced into three-and-outs on 48.6% of total drives against Cleveland, which ranked best in the NFL, per NFL Research.

Schwartz beat out former Ravens DC Mike Macdonald, Lions OC Ben Johnson, Texans OC Bobby Slowik, and current Ravens OC Todd Monken for the award.

Eagles’ report cards: Grading Philadelphia’s rookie class entering the 2024 offseason

We’re handing out grades and reviewing our rookie report card for the Philadelphia Eagles seven player 2023 NFL draft class

The Eagles entered training camp last summer with 17 rookies they believed could provide a bridge to the future and instant impact at crucial positions.

The 2023 class included seven talented players after the 2023 NFL draft, in which the team received glowing grades from experts and analysts.

Philadelphia landed five total defenders and four real players in the trenches, landing Tyler Steen from Alabama in the third round.

The Eagles also added plenty of undrafted talent.

Howie Roseman has raved about previous UDFA classes, with several big-named stars holding second-day draft grades.

Philadelphia had nine undrafted rookies that offered the potential to become critical contributors for years.

Mekhi Garner, Ben VanSumeren, and Eli Ricks saw key snaps as rookies, while Kelee Ringo will likely enter 2024 as a starter after some early learning curves.

With the young guys fully entrenched and the team looking towards April’s NFL draft, we’re handing out grades for 2023.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts to compete in Precision Passing competition at Pro Bowl Skills Challenge

Darius Slay and Jalen Hurts are among 8 Philadelphia Eagles set to participate in the Pro Bowl Skills showdown on Thursday night and the Flag Football game on Sunday

The Eagles lost six of their final seven games down the stretch, but they’ll be properly represented on the NFC Pro Bowl roster.

D’Andre Swift earned his first 1,000-yard season in 2023, and his first Pro Bowl nod as well, becoming one of six Birds to initially earn a nomination.

wide receiver A.J. Brown (starter, 3rd selection), guard Landon Dickerson (reserve, 2nd selection), tackle Lane Johnson (starter, 5th selection), center Jason Kelce (starter, 7th selection), linebacker Haason Reddick (reserve, 2nd selection), and running back Swift (reserve, 1st selection).

Philadelphia had 9 Pro Bowl alternates: kicker Jake Elliott (1st alternate), quarterback Jalen Hurts (1st), cornerback Darius Slay (1st), return specialist Britain Covey (2nd), defensive end Josh Sweat (2nd), tackle Jordan Mailata (3rd), defensive tackle Jalen Carter (4th), tight end Dallas Goedert (4th), and guard Cam Jurgens (5th).

Hurts and Slay are among the 8 Eagles who’ll be participating in Pro Bowl skills challenges.

Eagles’ DT Jalen Carter named a finalist for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year

Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Carter has been named a finalist for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

The NFL and The Associated Press have announced the finalists for their annual awards for the 2023 NFL season.

Lamar Jackson, Christian McCaffrey and Dak Prescott are finalists for The Associated Press 2023 NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards.

For Eagles related news, Jalen Carter has been named a finalist for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league completed voting before the playoffs began.

Award winners will be announced at NFL Honors presented by Invisalign, an Align Technology brand, on Thursday, Feb. 8 at the Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas. NFL Honors, the league’s primetime awards special, will air live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on the CBS Television Network and NFL Network and stream live on Paramount+ and NFL+. The program may not air live in all time zones.

The full list of awards and finalists include: