Dolphins Coach Mike McDaniel Praises Ravens' Lamar Jackson: 'Unbelievable Talent'

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel had high praise for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

If the Baltimore Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson are going to get any bulletin board material heading into Sunday's battle for the No. 1 seed, it won't be coming from Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. 

McDaniel was effusive in his praise of Jackson because of his talent and ability to prove people wrong. 

Lamar Jackson (8) vs. the San Francisco 49ers / Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

"Outside of this game, I'm just happy for the player because what I recognize is an unbelievable talent," McDaniel said. "Even him, he's had to define himself. He's had people tell him what he is, and he disagrees. How can I tell? It's not because I had a conversation with him. I see better than I hear."

Jackson put together one of his best performances of the season in Baltimore's 33-19 win over the San Francisco 49ers (11-3) on "Monday Night Football" at Levi Stadium. He completed 23 of 35 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 45 yards. 

Jackson's performance against the top team in the NFC catapulted him to the front of the MVP race, and Baltimore will likely need a similar performance out of him against a stout Dolphins (11-4) defense. Miami is second in sacks (52) and fourth in yards allowed per game (296.5). 

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While the stakes were high vs. the 49ers because they were the top teams in their respective conferences, the Ravens' matchup against the Dolphins holds more weight, with both teams battling to win their division and the top seed in the AFC. If Jackson can turn in another virtuoso performance leading to Baltimore winning its division and claiming the No. 1 seed in the AFC, he'd back McDaniel's praise and all but seal the second MVP of his career.  

Baltimore hosts Miami on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium.