Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are set to square off in a crucial AFC divisional playoff game next week, but the outcome will hold greater significance than just the NFL MVP discussions. This matchup not only features two of the league’s top quarterbacks but also determines who will advance to the AFC championship game.
The Baltimore Ravens, with a record of 13-5, will head to Buffalo to take on the Bills, who finished the season at 14-4. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs, reigning Super Bowl champions with a 15-2 record, will host the Houston Texans, who finished the wild-card round with an 11-7 record. The victor of each game will meet on January 26, with both teams eyeing a spot in the Super Bowl.
The Bills secured their place in the divisional round with a convincing 31-7 win over the Denver Broncos, following the Ravens’ 28-14 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Additionally, the Texans earned their advancement by defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 during wild-card weekend. The Chiefs enjoyed a bye week after claiming the top seed.
Before the NFC matchups commenced, the AFC divisional matchups had already been established. In the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles triumphed over the Green Bay Packers with a score of 22-10, allowing them to advance. Their next opponent will be determined by the outcome of the Sunday night battle between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Washington Commanders. If Tampa Bay wins, they will face the Eagles; however, if Washington prevails, the Eagles will play against the top-seeded Detroit Lions. The Eagles are also set to encounter the winner of the Monday night clash between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams.
During the All-Pro selections, Lamar Jackson narrowly defeated Josh Allen for the top honors. Jackson garnered 30 first-place votes, compared to Allen’s 18, placing Jackson on the first-team All-Pro roster and Allen on the second team. Historically, it is notable that the last player to win the MVP award without being named to the first-team All-Pro was Steve McNair, who shared the honors with Peyton Manning back in 2003. Manning, however, was the one to earn All-Pro recognition that year. John Elway experienced a similar scenario in 1987, obtaining the MVP while Joe Montana earned the All-Pro title.
In their previous encounter this season, the Ravens showcased their dominance, defeating the Bills 35-10 in Baltimore during Week 4. Looking ahead, this will mark the second consecutive year that these four teams—the Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, and Texans—are represented in the AFC’s final four. Last season, the Chiefs overcame the Bills, while the Ravens triumphed over the Texans. The last occurrence of consecutive seasons featuring the same four teams in the divisional round was in 2011 and 2012, when the Texans, Patriots, Ravens, and Broncos were all in the hunt.
