The Baltimore Ravens travel to play the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round. Derrick Henry made some heroic attempts as the Ravens defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 28–14 in Wild Card Weekend to progress to the game against the Bills.
Henry had 186 yards on 26 runs and punched in two rushing touchdowns as the Ravens defeated the Steelers on their own turf. It was not a terrific box score game for Lamar Jackson, who had an MVP-caliber season. Even though he completed 16 of his 21 attempts, he only had 175 passing yards. But Jackson did score two passing touchdowns.
Jackson must still make an MVP-caliber impact against the Bills even if he will not have Zay Flowers for another postseason game. Josh Allen, who is vying with Jackson for the MVP award this season, has been the driving force behind Buffalo’s outstanding success.
With Patrick Mahomes as the NFL’s top quarterback, the two quarterbacks are on a level playing field and will face off against each other’s club on Sunday. Lamar Jackson’s remarks regarding Josh Allen Jackson made it apparent before to the fight that the two are not at all friends.
“Is Josh Allen here? I’ve certainly seen Josh at events early in my career, such as at the Super Bowl and other such occasions,” Jackson said. “I don’t really get out with other quarterbacks or anyone else during the offseason. We are in competition with one another, but don’t get me wrong, there isn’t a problem. My goal is to defeat you. I have no intention of being your friend.We’ll undoubtedly joke about [their shared history of both getting drafted in the 2018 class] when we’re older, but for now, it’s serious. I don’t share your laughter.
During the postseason, Jackson is aware of the message. Storylines and legacies are irrelevant. His goal is to win, and to win big. The product from Louisville has won MVP twice. He wishes to bolster his resume with a Super Bowl victory. Additionally, no friends are created along the route.
“Bills Compare Lamar Jackson to Kobe Bryant Ahead of Ravens Matchup”
The Buffalo Bills are gearing up for a high-stakes showdown against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, with a coveted spot in the AFC Championship on the line.
Earlier in the season, the Ravens dominated the Bills in Baltimore, securing a 35–10 victory behind Jackson’s impressive performance, which included 210 total yards and three touchdowns. This time around, the Bills are aiming for a different outcome by adopting a unique approach to containing the Ravens’ star quarterback.
Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver revealed the team’s mindset heading into the game, sharing a striking comparison made by their coaching staff.
“Our coach said something that really stuck with me,” Oliver explained. “‘He’s like Kobe Bryant. … Kobe Bryant’s gonna get his at some point.’ That was a great analogy. Lamar’s gonna get his at some point. And we know that. And everybody watching knows that. We just have to limit him. But he’s going to get his.”
Oliver credited assistant defensive line coach Matt Edwards with the analogy, underscoring the respect Jackson commands as a game-changing talent. The Bills are focused on limiting Jackson’s impact rather than completely shutting him down, acknowledging the inevitability of his playmaking ability.
The Bills’ approach highlights Jackson’s stature as a player whose presence alone demands strategic adjustments, much like the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant. Whether this strategy pays off will be seen when the two teams clash this weekend.
Viewing Lamar Jackson through the lens of a Kobe Bryant-like figure could benefit the Bills. Completely shutting down Jackson may be unrealistic for any defense, but if Ed Oliver and his teammates can limit his impact, it could give Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense a strong chance to secure a victory.
The Bills’ preparation for Jackson extends beyond strategy—they’ve also adjusted their roster by signing former Ravens backup quarterback Anthony Brown, who is mimicking Jackson’s style during practice sessions.
The effectiveness of these tactics will be put to the test this Sunday night.
