Sunday’s playoff battle between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills ultimately had no bearing on the bottom line for the NFL MVP debate, with the votes for the award already having been submitted.
But the upshot from the divisional duel that pitted Lamar Jackson against Josh Allen is that the latter is moving on for a shot at a Super Bowl breakthrough, while the former was dealt yet another postseason disappointment.
The Bills capitalized on three Ravens turnovers – including two from Jackson – and hung on after Mark Andrews dropped a would-be game-tying 2-point conversion in the final two minutes as Buffalo secured a 27-25 win and berth in the AFC championship game.
Buffalo will face the two-time defending-champion Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. The Bills handed the Chiefs their first loss of the year in a 30-21 triumph at Highmark Stadium in Week 11, but Kansas City has prevailed in each of the three playoff meetings between the two AFC powers since Patrick Mahomes ascended to the starting quarterback role.
Jackson led the Ravens on an eight-play, 88-yard touchdown drive capped by a 24-yard scoring strike to Isaiah Likely with 1:33 left. But after Jackson rolled right on the two-point conversion attempt and found an open Andrews, the tight end dropped Baltimore’s chance at forcing overtime.
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‘There’s nobody that has more heart and cares more and fights more than Mark,’ Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in defense of his three-time Pro Bowl tight end. ‘We wouldn’t be here without Mark Andrews.’
After the Ravens and Bills each notched touchdown drives to open the game, Jackson airmailed an interception to safety Taylor Rapp on the Ravens’ second series. Though Buffalo would go three-and-out after the takeaway, Jackson fumbled on the next drive. Pass rusher Von Miller’s 39-yard return set the Bills up with a short field, and Allen pushed into the end zone for a 1-yard score and a 14-7 lead midway through the second quarter.
In the fourth quarter, linebacker Terrel Bernard punched out the ball on a reception by Andrews and recovered the fumble. The Bills drained the clock on the ensuing 11-play, 52-yard drive but had to settle for Tyler Bass’ second field goal of the half after Allen was stonewalled from the Baltimore 2-yard line.
‘Hold onto the (expletive) ball,’ Jackson said after the game in venting his frustration with his own turnovers. ‘Sorry for my language. This (expletive) annoying. I’m tired of this (expletive).’
Buffalo advanced past the divisional round for the first time since the 2020 season.
Despite the hype surrounding the matchup, neither Allen nor Jackson found it easy to heat up on a frigid night. Allen ran for two scores but threw for just 127 yards, while Jackson was held to 254 yards through the air, much of it coming on the final drive.
This story has been updated with new information and a new video.
