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Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff Writer
BALTIMORE — In a game and performance reminiscent of 2019, Lamar Jackson looked like the unquestioned NFL Most Valuable Player as the Baltimore Ravens clinched the AFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
With Jackson recording a perfect passer rating (158.3) and throwing five touchdown passes, the Ravens routed the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on Sunday to secure a first-round bye in the playoffs as well as home-field advantage through the playoffs.
It’s just the second time that the Ravens have earned the AFC’s No. 1 seed in the franchise’s 28-year existence.
Entering Sunday as the betting favorite for NFL MVP, Jackson produced his third career game with a perfect passer rating, which is tied for the second most in NFL history. He trails only Ben Roethlisberger, who has done it five times.
Jackson finished 18-of-21 for 321 yards. With fans chanting “MVP” with every score, he threw touchdown passes of 20 yards to Justice Hill, 75 yards to Zay Flowers, 35 and 7 yards to Isaiah Likely and 4 yards to Patrick Ricard.
It was Jackson’s first five-touchdown game since his 2019 NFL MVP season.
Staying at home for the playoffs is a rarity for the Ravens. Despite the Ravens’ success in the postseason — two Super Bowls and four AFC Championship Game appearances — Baltimore has played at home only seven times in 28 playoff games.
The Ravens are hoping they can take advantage of the No. 1 seed more than they did in 2019. Baltimore was upset by the Tennessee Titans 28-12 in the AFC divisional round.