WASHINGTON, Jan 1, 2024 (AFP) – The Baltimore Ravens secured the AFC top seed for the NFL playoffs in emphatic fashion on Sunday, crushing the Miami Dolphins 56-19 with Lamar Jackson throwing five touchdowns.
The San Francisco 49ers, meanwhile, will have the NFC top seed — and the home field advantage throughout the playoffs that comes with the ranking — after they won 27-10 at Washington.
Jackson is the frontrunner to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award and he hugely boosted his chances with an outstanding display against a Miami team that had hopes of topping the conference.
The Ravens quarterback threw for 321 yards on 18 of 21 passing, averaging 15.3 yards per pass as he picked apart the Dolphins defense.
“I don’t know if I’ve seen a more impressive performance in a game,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Jackson’s effort.
After the Dolphins, who are also in the playoffs, had opened the scoring with Cedric Wilson collecting an eight-yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa, Jackson found Justice Hill with a 20-yard touchdown pass wide right.
The Ravens took a 14-10 lead through a Gus Edwards one-yard rushing touchdown and went in with a 28-13 advantage after Jackson threw two touchdowns late in the second quarter.
Jackson delivered a 75-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers and then, after Tagovailoa was picked off by Roquan Smith, Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely for a 35-yard score.
Jackson found Likely again for a seven-yard score in the third and although De’Von Achane’s touchdown early in the fourth gave the Miami hope, the Ravens pulled away from there.
Patrick Ricard caught a four-yard pass from Jackson before Melvin Gordon ran in from three yards and reserve Tyler Huntley found Charlie Kolar with a 19-yard touchdown pass.
Miami can take the AFC East division title by beating Buffalo next week.
– Purdy bounces back –
The Ravens had picked off 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy four times in winning last week but he bounced back as San Francisco took a top seed at Washington.
Purdy threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-28 passing with no interceptions. He has set a club record for single season passing yards, overtaking Jeff Garcia’s mark of 4,279.
The Niners extended a 13-10 halftime lead on Elijah Mitchell’s two-yard touchdown run and Purdy found Brandon Aiyuk with a 17-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
The 49ers were assured of the NFC top seed when the Philadelphia Eagles fell in a surprise 35-31 loss at home to Arizona (4-12).
James Conner’s two-yard touchdown run with 32 seconds remaining claimed the upset for Arizona and the result opens the door to Dallas pipping Philadelphia to the NFC East title.
The Cowboys can win the division with a victory at Washington next week.
Defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City moved into the playoffs, winning the AFC West for the eighth successive season thanks to a gritty 25-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The only points in the second half of the game came from the boot of Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who scored six field goals in the game, four of them after the break.
The Bengals were eliminated from playoff contention and that ensured the Denver Broncos missed the playoffs for an eighth straight year despite a 16-9 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive with a 30-23 win over the Seattle Seahawks with running-back Najee Harris scoring two touchdowns and putting up a season-best 122 yards.
The result leaves the Seahawks needing to beat Arizona on the final day and hope other games fall their way next week.
Seattle’s loss clinched a playoff berth for the Los Angeles Rams (9-7) after their 26-25 win at the New York Giants.
The fight for the NFC South title will go down to the wire after the New Orleans Saints beat Tampa Bay 23-13.
Atlanta’s hopes were dented with a 37-17 loss to the Chicago Bears while the Buffalo Bills enter their AFC East decider with Miami off a 27-21 win over New England.
Chicago clinched the top pick in the 2024 NFL when Carolina lost 26-0 at Jacksonville.