Ravens Defense Outlasts and Outshines Jags in 23-7 Sunday Night Football Win

While the Ravens offense boasts MVP candidate Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore defense held things together on Sunday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Baltimore Ravens shut down the Jacksonville Jaguars and quarterback Trevor Lawrence on "Sunday Night Football" in a game that featured no stars bigger than the vaunted Ravens defense.

The Ravens won 23-7 on the road and punched their ticket to the postseason for the second season in a row and the fourth time since 2019.

Baltimore's defense was the story again, holding an opponent to seven points or less for the ninth time this season. Safety Kyle Hamilton played an outstanding game on a sprained MCL and finished with a team-high seven tackles with one for a loss. 

Justin Madubuike / USA Today

Having an even bigger day was defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who tied an NFL record by registering at least a half-sack in 11 straight games. The former Texas A&M Aggie registered his 12th sack of the season and added four quarterback hits and an important forced fumble and strip-sack of Lawrence early in the game.

The defense finished the game holding the Jaguars to just 3-for-13 on third down conversions and just 75 yards total rushing. On three visits to the red zone, the Jaguars could manage no better than 0-3. 

Lamar Jackson Was Unaware of Playoff Berth Following Win vs. Jaguars

Sunday was a big win, but the goal wasn't just making the playoffs. The Ravens still have a North title and the No. 1 seed in the AFC still in sight as they finish the season against San Francisco, Miami, and Pittsburgh.

How focused is this team on the big picture? Quarterback Lamar Jackson wasn't aware that the team clinched a playoff spot. "I didn't know we clinched the playoffs," Jackson said. "I'm just trying to win, trying to get there. Trying to win a game at a time, but I'm grateful for it. Grateful for the opportunity."