When Sunday night’s playoff game ended, Josh Allen’s first thought wasn’t to celebrate with his teammates, nor the frenzied home crowd.
He looked for Lamar Jackson.
After taking a knee that ran out the final 38 seconds of the Buffalo Bills’ thrilling 27-25 victory over the Ravens in the AFC divisional round, the star quarterback pumped his fist and immediately turned around and scanned the Baltimore sideline. He found Jackson and gave his counterpart a warm embrace, with Jackson putting a hand on Allen’s helmet as they exchanged words.
Even after a crushing loss, one that will continue to raise questions about Jackson’s legacy after he fell to 3-5 in the postseason in his otherwise sensational career, the Ravens’ star managed to crack a smile.
“I’ve just got so much respect and love for him,” Allen said in a postgame interview with CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. “The way he plays the game. He’s a true competitor, a true football player. One of the greatest to ever step on the football field, so nothing but love.”
It might seem strange, considering that Allen and Jackson have not only been competing against one another on the field but in the ballot box, so to speak. Jackson was voted NFL Most Valuable Player twice in his first six seasons and is a candidate to win a third this year after putting together one of the most dominant statistical seasons in league history. Allen was in the running last season, earning one vote to deny Jackson a second unanimous MVP, and is considered neck-and-neck with Jackson for this season’s honor. The votes were cast after the conclusion of the regular season, though, which means Sunday’s game does not factor in the race.
But if Allen has any jealousy or animosity toward Jackson as online and talk-show debates rage around them, he’s never shown it. Their bond was forged when they were both picked in the first round of the 2018 draft and silenced critics on their way to becoming superstars. Jackson and Allen rank first and second, respectively, in playoff rushing yards by a quarterback in NFL history, and neither has reached their 30th birthday.
Sunday’s game was the second playoff matchup between the two after the Bills’ 17-3 divisional round win in January 2021. It’s a rivalry that will likely continue for a long time.
“I told him, man, go get something. Go win something,” Jackson said after the game. “MVP, Super Bowl, do something. I want him to be successful.”
That means going through another rival in next Sunday’s AFC championship game: Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Neither Allen nor Jackson have defeated Mahomes in the postseason as Kansas City has advanced to seven straight conference title games and won three of the past five Super Bowl titles, including two straight. Mahomes is 16-3 in the playoffs, tying Joe Montana for the second-most wins behind only Tom Brady, while Allen is 7-5.
For his part, Allen said all the talk about the quarterback battle going into the game didn’t affect him. He finished 16 of 22 passing for just 127 yards but also ran for two touchdowns and took just one sack. Jackson, on the other hand, threw an interception and lost a fumble that was nearly returned for a touchdown. He completed 18 of 25 passes for 254 yards and two scores while rushing for 39 yards on six carries.
And although Jackson was left to rue another early, mistake-filled playoff exit, he’ll always have a fan in Buffalo.
“I’ve got nothing but love for Lamar,” Allen said. “He’s one of the greatest to ever put a uniform on and play in the NFL. Honored to share the field with him.”
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