The Ravens defeated the Steelers, and the Bills dominated the Broncos. With those results, an epic showdown is set for the Divisional Round, featuring the two leading MVP contenders in one of the most heated MVP debates in recent memory. Buffalo will host Baltimore, with the winner advancing to the AFC Championship to face either Kansas City or Houston.
After Buffalo’s commanding 31-7 victory over Denver, Josh Allen shared his initial thoughts on the upcoming rematch against Baltimore, which was the Bills’ worst performance of the season.
“They got after us earlier this year, so we’ve got a lot of film to watch. It’s a great team. It’s a great quarterback, Lamar [Jackson]. What he’s able to do—he’s one of the most dynamic, if not the most dynamic, quarterbacks in the league. He’s so fun to watch, but I’ll be watching their defense this week. That’s our focus.”
Allen was right. Buffalo’s previous matchup against Baltimore was a disaster. The Bills lost 35-10, as their defense struggled to contain Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, while their offense was ineffective throughout the game.
The biggest challenge in that game—and again in the upcoming rematch—is stopping Baltimore’s dominant run game. In their earlier meeting, Henry rushed for 199 yards and a touchdown, including a game-changing long run early on. Baltimore led the NFL in rushing this season, averaging 193.1 yards per game and 5.8 yards per carry. They showcased that strength in their Wild Card win over Pittsburgh, storming to a 21-0 halftime lead with an unstoppable ground attack.
Baltimore’s option play, where Jackson either keeps the ball to exploit the edges or hands it off to Henry for powerful inside runs, has been a nightmare for opposing defenses. If defenses over-commit to stopping Henry, Jackson breaks free; if they stay focused on Jackson, Henry punishes them up the middle. This combination has rarely faltered all season, and it remains the key to Baltimore’s success.
The upcoming clash between Jackson and Allen has all the makings of a classic, with fans and analysts eagerly anticipating the game. Bills head coach Sean McDermott summed it up perfectly: “This is what everyone is waiting for.”
Both Jackson and Allen are rare talents on Hall of Fame trajectories, making this a special era for the NFL, particularly in the AFC. This game promises to be something extraordinary. Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich and McDermott face a crucial week of preparation as the Bills aim to keep their momentum alive and extend their playoff run at home.
