Buffalo Rumblings
Jackson said he wants Allen to be successful.
Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson have had their careers linked from the beginning, and after Allen’s Buffalo Bills beat Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens in Sunday night’s divisional playoff game, Jackson wanted to make sure Allen got his flowers.
The two quarterbacks came from the same draft class and their careers have been compared ever since. Jackson was an instant sensation while Allen was considered a project. But, now, seven seasons later and the two have been in a season-long standoff for the Associated Press’s MVP award.
Jackson edged out Allen in the AP’s All-Pro list, taking First Team while Allen was named to the second team. Both quarterbacks are considered threats to run as much as they are threats to launch field-flipping passes.
Allen led his team to the second-most points in the league this season while Jackson was right behind with his team third. Both the Bills and Ravens won their divisions, and in the process the quarterbacks took turns looking like the league’s top player both winning the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award three times.
Despite how parallel their careers are, despite the fact that they will likely be trading the “NFL leader in {insert some stat here}” news for seasons to come, last week Jackson said he was not amused by the constant comparisons.
But Jackson wanted to set the record straight — he has no problem with Allen. In fact, he wants to see his rival succeed. He knows that greatness recognizes greatness, He knows that Allen being playing at his best will force him to elevate his game to stay competitive — and vice versa.
After Allen and the Bills eliminated Jackson and the Ravens from the 2025 NFL Playoff bracket Sunday night, the two quarterbacks met on the field and Jackson was all smiles. He had a brief conversation with his counterpart before letting him run off to celebrate with his teammates.
Asked about the conversation, Jackson said he told Allen to “Go win something.” Jackson said he didn’t care whether that something was an MVP, something Jackson already has two of, or a Lombardi Trophy, something that has eluded the pair of 2018 Draft picks. He just wanted Allen to get his due. “I want him to be successful.”
When it comes to sportsmanship, Jackson and Allen are at the top of their class.
