Lamar Jackson breaks NFL rushing record; Ravens smash Jets

Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Lamar Jackson broke the record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season and threw five touchdown passes to lead the Baltimore Ravens to a dominant victory over the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football.

The NFL MVP front-runner passed for 212 yards and ran for 86 yards in the 42-21 triumph Thursday at M&T Bank Stadium. Each of his five scoring lobs went to a different pass catcher. Jackson has completed 66.2 percent of his throws for 2,889 yards, 33 touchdowns and six interceptions, while rushing for a record 1,013 yards in 2019. He also has seven scores on the ground.

Jackson also tied the Ravens' single-season record for touchdown passes, in addition to breaking Michael Vick's rushing record from 2006.

"[Vick] was my favorite player growing up," Jackson told reporters. "I'm going to cherish that [moment] forever. We just have to keep it going. Records are meant to be broken. It's an honor for me to do it."

The Ravens were also crowned AFC North division champions with the victory.

The moment @lj_era8 broke the record️ pic.twitter.com/aGUkOAer9K— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 13, 2019

The Jets went three-and-out on the game's first drive, leading to a punt. Jackson proceeded to orchestrate a nine-play, 84-yard scoring drive, capped off by a six-yard Mark Ingram touchdown run. The Jets missed a field goal on their next drive. Jackson then led the Ravens on a five-play, 61-yard drive. He ended that drive by throwing a five-yard touchdown pass to Miles Boykin.

The Jets made the game close by scoring on their next drive. Quarterback Sam Darnold connected with Jamison Crowder for a four-yard score on that play, making the score 13-7 at the start of the second quarter. The Ravens answered again, with Jackson throwing a one-yard score to tight end Mark Andrews. Baltimore led 21-7 at the half.

The Ravens and Jets alternated punts on the first three drives of the third quarter, before the Jets fumbled at their own 35-yard line. Jackson threw a 24-yard touchdown toss to Marquise Brown two plays later, giving the Ravens a 28-7 edge.

Jackson led a seven-play, 90-yard scoring drive on the Ravens' next possession. He ended that drive with a 33-yard touchdown pass to Seth Roberts.

The Jets attempted to rally by scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but could not overcome the large deficit. Jets defender B.J. Bello returned a blocked punt for a 14-yard score with 12:13 remaining, but Jackson answered by throwing a 10-yard touchdown pass to Ingram on the Ravens' next drive.

Darnold connected with Crowder for an 18-yard touchdown on the following possession, but the neither team reached the end zone again down the stretch.

Jackson completed 15 of 23 passes in the win. Ingram had 86 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns for the Ravens. Darnold completed 18 of 32 passes for 218 yards, two scores and an interception, while also losing a fumble, for the Jets.

"Against this group, you don't want to be unsure" of what they're doing, Jets coach Adam Gase said of Jackson's Ravens. "They're that fast. They run their offense well. You have to make decisions in real time. It's not easy."

The Ravens (12-2) face the Cleveland Browns at 1 p.m. EST Dec. 22 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. The Jets host the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. Dec. 22 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

"The Ravens are the AFC North champs, and we are very proud of that. It's a great accomplishment," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "It's a great division. It's our first goal. It's not our top goal, but it's our first goal."

NFL season highlights

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan raises the George Halas Trophy with broadcaster Terry Bradshaw after winning the NFC Championship at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on January 19, 2020. The 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers 37-20. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo

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