The Fight For No. 1 AFC Seed vs. Dolphins 'A Lot of Motivation' For Ravens Lamar Jackson

The Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins will battle in Week 17 with the No. 1 seed on the line in the AFC, and that is very motivating for Lamar Jackson.

The Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins meet in Week 17 with not only bragging rights on the line but also the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

With the Ravens currently having it in their grasp, a win over Miami will all but ensure that the Super Bowl will run through Baltimore in the AFC. Given how important home-field advantage is for the playoffs, Lamar Jackson says that clinching the top seed is very motivating.

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“A lot of motivation,” Jackson said. “But I believe we was already motivated, like I always say, we chasing right now, I believed we’re locked in.”

The Ravens are fresh off perhaps the performance of the season as they dismantled the San Francisco 49ers to the tune of a 33-19 beating, many now have Baltimore as the outright Super Bowl favorites.

But with that comes pressure to perform and Baltimore has won nine of its last 10 games, so confidence was flowing prior to the 49ers win, and now, it must be at an all-time high, right?

“We’re just keeping a level head,” Jackson said. “I believe we know what we’re capable of, we just got to keep showing it day in, day out, just keep getting better each and every practice.”

The path forward is clear for Baltimore - win and they will get home-field advantage for the playoffs, that is motivation enough.

Ravens Clinching Scenarios: One Win Away From AFC's Top Seed

But for Jackson, who has a 57-19 record in the regular season, being 1-3 in the playoffs isn't ideal, and securing the No. 1 seed and being at home for the duration of the postseason is a great way to improve on his less than ideal record.

Yes, the chance to capture the No. 1 seed is motivating for Jackson, but so too is the chance to improve on his 1-3 record in the playoffs, which will be made "easier" by being at home.