The “unofficial” awards name Ravens to two major awards
The Pro Football Writers of America have given credit where it’s due, naming two Baltimore Ravens winners of individual awards.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson being the first, with his second MVP from the PFWA. They awarded him MVP in 2019. Jackson is the second Raven to be awarded MVP as running back Jamal Lewis earned the accolade in 2003.
PFWA Announces Lamar Jackson NFL MVP
“Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who threw for a career-high 3,678 yards and rushed for 821 yards to become the first player with multiple 3,000/800 seasons, is the 2023 NFL Most Valuable Player chosen in voting conducted by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA). … Jackson, the 50th MVP honored by the PFWA, wins the award for the second time (2019), and he is the ninth player in NFL history to win multiple PFWA MVP awards. Jackson is the 11th consecutive quarterback selected MVP by the PFWA and the 34th QB to win the award overall. The Ravens have won three PFWA MVP awards all time with Jackson (2019, 2023) and RB Jamal Lewis (2003).”
The PFWA also named Defensive Coordinator Mike Macdonald as their Assistant Coach of the Year. Macdonald is the fourth Raven to win the award after Marin Lewis (2000), Rex Ryan (2006) and Greg Roman (2019).
PFWA Announces Coach, Executive and Assistant Coach of the Year Awards
“Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who oversaw a dominant group that led the NFL in scoring defense, sacks and takeaways and helped the Ravens capture the AFC No. 1 seed, is the 2023 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year. … Macdonald is in his second season as the Ravens defensive coordinator after he re-joined Baltimore after spending the 2021 season as the University of Michigan’s defensive coordinator. He previously spent seven seasons (2014-20) with the Ravens – three as linebackers coach, one as defensive backs coach, two as a defensive assistant and one as defensive coaching intern. This season, Macdonald coached the Ravens’ defense to NFL No. 1 ranks in scoring defense (16.5), sacks (60) and takeaways (31, tied with the New York Giants) – making the 2023 Ravens the first defensive unit to ever lead the league in those three categories in the same season. The Ravens defense also led NFL in touchdowns allowed (26), yards allowed per play (4.6; tied with Cleveland and the New York Jets), opponent passer rating (74.6) and opponent net yards per pass (5.1). Safety Kyle Hamilton was a PFWA All-NFL and All-AFC selection, and middle linebacker Roquan Smith was an PFWA All-AFC choice.”