The Albany Gazette - Allen and Jackson promise NFL playoff spectacle

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who could receive his third MVP award, faces Buffalo's Josh Allen in the divisional round clash which with a place in the AFC Championship final at stake.

Both players epitomise the modern preference for quarterbacks who can not only throw with pinpoint accuracy but can also be a threat running with the ball.

Allen shares the single season record for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, along with the Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts, set at 15, in 2023.

Jackson has the most career rushing yards of any quarterback in the NFL's history -- 6,173.

"It's the battle of two heavyweights," Buffalo defensive end Von Miller said.

"This is why the NFL is the greatest league in the world, because you get match ups like this, and you get quarterbacks like this going against each other."

The pair faced each other in week 4 with the Ravens triumphing 35-10 but while that game will have been studied closely, Allen believes his team have moved on since that loss.

"Learned a lot from those moments," Allen said. "Going back and watching it obviously wasn't our best effort. Felt like we didn't play our best football. But, they got a really good team too. They're playing this week for a reason," he said.

Baltimore lost their opening two games in the regular season but have been beaten just three times since and ended the regular season with four straight wins before their convincing 28-14 win over the Steelers in last week's wildcard round.

- 'Becoming the mold' -

"Their defense, the last really 10 weeks has been superb," Allen said. "Their offense is fantastic as well. They got a lot of studs over there, led by Lamar and it's a tough team to play regardless."

Both quarterbacks entered the league via the 2018 draft and Jackson has plenty of admiration for Allen's ability to adapt on the field.

"His uniqueness of making things happen when plays break down. Strong arm, make any throw on the field," he said of Allen's strongest attributes.

For the neutral, the style of both players ensures an exciting spectacle and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh says they represent the 'new normal' of athletic, mobile quarterbacks -- once suspected by NFL coaches.

"It seems like most guys now are kind of like that," Harbaugh said.

"I mean, they're kind of everywhere now. It seems likes more the mold now. It used to be breaking the mold, but now it seems like it's becoming the mold," he added.

Allen and the Bills have lost at this stage in the playoffs for the past three seasons although they beat the Ravens in the 2020 divisional round.

Baltimore reached the AFC Championship game in 2023, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs, looking for a third straight Super Bowl win, host the Houston Texans on Saturday.

After a slightly muted season, while still dominating the AFC, the Chiefs began to look back to their best in the latter stages of the regular season.

The Texans took apart the Los Angeles Chargers last week with their respected defense on top and second-year quarterback C.J Stroud leading them to a 32-12 victory.

"That defense is extremely real, they have a great quarterback and a great coach," said Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

"They get after the quarterback really well, they have great secondary players and the linebackers fly around. It'll be a great challenge for us, and we'll have to play our best football," he added.

In the NFC, the top-seeded Detroit Lions host another impressive rookie quarterback in Jayden Daniels and the season's surprise package, the Washington Commanders.

The NFC's other game features the Philadelphia Eagles, with running back sensation Saquon Barkley in top form, at home to the Los Angeles Rams.

(R.White--TAG)