1. Josh and Lamar, Not Josh vs. Lamar
Stop me if this sounds familiar: the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens are meeting in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The last time these two teams clashed at this stage was the 2020 AFC Divisional Round. Both squads look different now, even compared to Week 4 of the 2024 season when they last faced each other.
“I feel like we’ve grown a lot since that game,” said QB Josh Allen. “Watching it back, it clearly wasn’t our best performance. We didn’t play our best football. But they’re a great team too. They’re here for a reason. They’ve got a lot of talent, led by Lamar, and it’s always tough to face them.”
This showdown is one of the most anticipated matchups of the postseason. Both quarterbacks are MVP frontrunners, each fighting to take their team past this hurdle and into a potential showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship.
“It’s like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson have become the rivalry of the postseason,” ESPN’s Pat McAfee remarked. “We’re all wondering which one of them will finally break through, and I can’t wait to watch it. It’s a perfect stage for the NFL.”
This is the first playoff game in NFL history featuring two quarterbacks with 40+ touchdowns and fewer than 10 turnovers in the regular season. Allen and Jackson, tied 2-2 in career matchups (including playoffs), will also continue their competition as two of the most prolific rushing QBs in playoff history.
NFL Network’s Peter Schrager encouraged fans to embrace the moment. “This should be ‘Josh and Lamar week,’ not ‘Josh versus Lamar.’ Let’s appreciate this for what it is—an incredible Divisional Round quarterback matchup,” he said.
Ryan Clark of ESPN echoed this sentiment, calling it a career-defining game for both QBs. “It’s not about who’s the MVP,” Clark said. “It’s about who steps up for their team in that crucial moment.”
2. The Running Game: A Key Factor
While much of the spotlight is on the quarterbacks, the running backs will play a pivotal role in this chess match.
On SportsCenter, Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed compared Derrick Henry to the queen on a chessboard. “You’ve got to use that piece to its full potential,” Reed said.
The same could be said for Buffalo’s James Cook and their offensive line. Cook, who led the Bills in rushing touchdowns this season, has become a crucial part of their offense.
“As much as the Bills’ success depends on Josh Allen, Cook is the X-factor,” NFL.com’s Jeffri Chadiha wrote. “He’s carved out a significant role, rushing for 1,009 yards and 18 total touchdowns this season. If Buffalo wants to ease the burden on their defense, they’ll need Cook and their run game to step up.”
3. Cold Weather Advantage
This time, the game will be played in Buffalo, where the Bills are undefeated in their last nine regular-season and postseason home games.
The forecast calls for a 16-degree kickoff temperature, feeling like 11 degrees, with possible flurries. But the Bills are used to the cold. Sean McDermott’s teams have an NFL-best 14-2 record in games below 32 degrees since 1991.
“Home-field advantage in the playoffs is huge,” said RT Spencer Brown. “Playing in our stadium, in these conditions, is one of the hardest environments for opponents.”
Josh Allen is looking forward to the electric atmosphere. “The energy, the vibes, the fans—it’s everything. Hopefully, we’ll get to the fourth quarter and hear ‘Mr. Brightside’ playing. That gives us a big boost,” he said.
4. Key Players Returning
In their last meeting with the Ravens, the Bills were without key defensive players, including LBs Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano and CB Taron Johnson. This time, they’re healthy and ready.
“You can’t replace those guys,” said DT DaQuan Jones. “Having them back makes a huge difference.”
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky highlighted Milano’s role in containing Lamar Jackson. “Buffalo’s discipline on defense will be crucial. Milano spying on Lamar in critical moments could be a game-changer,” Orlovsky said.
5. Winning the Battle in the Trenches
Controlling the line of scrimmage will be essential for the Bills. Their offensive line, which has played the most snaps together in the NFL this season, must match the Ravens’ physicality.
“It’s Ravens football—they’re known for their physicality,” Jones said. “We have to be ready for a tough, hard-nosed game.”
LT Dion Dawkins emphasized preparation. “The Ravens’ defense keeps you on your toes with their schemes. We need to stay focused and stick to what we do best,” he said.
The Bills dominated the Broncos on the ground in their last game, rushing for 210 yards. They’ll aim for a similar performance to punch their ticket to the AFC Championship.
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