NFL Playoffs: Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, and More in Action This Weekend

The NFL Divisional Round is set to kick off with a thrilling matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills, led by quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, while the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles also face tough tests.

The NFL playoffs are set to feature an exciting matchup between two of the league's most dynamic quarterbacks, Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills. The two MVP contenders will face off in the divisional round, with a spot in the AFC Championship final on the line. Both quarterbacks are known for their ability to throw with precision and make plays with their legs, epitomizing the modern NFL quarterback.

Josh Allen, in particular, has been impressive with his rushing abilities, sharing the single-season record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with 15, alongside Jalen Hurts. Lamar Jackson, meanwhile, holds the record for most career rushing yards by a quarterback with 6,173. Buffalo defensive end Von Miller acknowledged the magnitude of the matchup, saying: “It's the battle of two heavyweights. This is why the NFL is the greatest league in the world, because you get matchups like this, and you get quarterbacks like this going against each other.”

The two quarterbacks previously faced each other in Week 4, with the Ravens emerging victorious 35-10. However, Josh Allen believes his team has grown and improved since that loss. Allen reflected on the game, saying: “Learned a lot from those moments. Going back and watching it obviously wasn't our best effort. Felt like we didn't play our best football. But, they got a really good team too. They're playing this week for a reason.” The Ravens have been on a strong run, losing only three games since their 0-2 start to the regular season. They ended the regular season with four consecutive wins and followed that up with a convincing 28-14 win over the Steelers in the wildcard round.

Josh Allen has been impressed by the Baltimore Ravens' recent performances, particularly on defense. “Their defense, the last really 10 weeks has been superb,” Allen said. “Their offense is fantastic as well. They got a lot of studs over there, led by Lamar and it's a tough team to play regardless.” The Bills quarterback will face off against Lamar Jackson, whom he entered the league with via the 2018 draft.

Lamar Jackson has expressed admiration for Josh Allen's unique abilities on the field. “His uniqueness of making things happen when plays break down. Strong arm, make any throw on the field,” Jackson said of Allen's strongest attributes. This matchup promises to be an exciting spectacle, with both quarterbacks known for their athleticism and ability to make plays outside of the pocket.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh believes that quarterbacks like Jackson and Allen represent the “new normal” in the NFL. “It seems like most guys now are kind of like that,” Harbaugh said. “I mean, they're kind of everywhere now. It seems likes more the mold now. It used to be breaking the mold, but now it seems like it's becoming the mold,” he added. This shift towards more athletic, mobile quarterbacks has changed the way teams approach the game.

The Bills have struggled at this stage in the playoffs, losing in the divisional round for the past three seasons. However, they did beat the Ravens in the 2020 divisional round. The Ravens, on the other hand, reached the AFC Championship game in 2023, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are looking to make a third straight Super Bowl appearance and will host the Houston Texans on Saturday.

The Texans are coming off an impressive 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, led by second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud and their respected defense. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is aware of the challenge posed by the Texans. “That defense is extremely real, they have a great quarterback and a great coach,” Mahomes said. “They get after the quarterback really well, they have great secondary players and the linebackers fly around. It'll be a great challenge for us, and we'll have to play our best football,” he added.

In the NFC, the top-seeded Detroit Lions will host the Washington Commanders, led by impressive rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Commanders have been the surprise package of the season, and this matchup promises to be an exciting one. The NFC's other game features the Philadelphia Eagles, with running back sensation Saquon Barkley in top form, hosting the Los Angeles Rams.