First, let’s start with some appreciation for what we’re about to witness. Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are two of the best quarterbacks of their generation, and both have had extraordinary seasons. Watching them square off in the Divisional Round (Baltimore Ravens vs. BuffaloBills) is a gift for football fans, a reminder of why this sport is so captivating.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the MVP conversation. There’s already chatter about how Sunday’s game between the Ravens and Bills could tip the scales in the MVP race. Let me save you some trouble—it won’t.
Not because the stakes aren’t high, but because MVP ballots were submitted right after the regular season ended. This game isn’t part of the equation, and frankly, it shouldn’t be.
Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen both built their MVP cases over 18 weeks, not in one January showdown. The MVP is a regular-season award, and playoff performances—no matter how dazzling—aren’t factored into the voting process. Reducing an entire season’s worth of brilliance to a single game is not only wrong; it’s downright disrespectful to the work both players put in.
MVP voting doesn’t work like that
Here’s how the MVP process actually works: a panel of 50 sportswriters submits their votes immediately after the conclusion of Week 18. That’s it. The votes are locked, and no playoff heroics—or disasters—can change the outcome.
This means that Sunday’s matchup, while a must-see event, has no bearing on the MVP race. Still, the media and fan narratives will try to spin it differently. You can already hear the talking heads: “If Allen outduels Lamar, he’s the real MVP,” or “If Lamar dominates, he’s clearly the guy.”
But let’s be honest—that’s recency bias at its peak. MVP is about consistency and dominance over an entire season. Jackson and Allen have both been phenomenal, but their cases were made long before the postseason began.
The idea Sunday’s game should decide the MVP is as absurd as it is lazy. Why should a full season of effort, highlights, and achievements be boiled down to one performance? If a quarterback throws for 400 yards but his team loses because of a missed field goal or a defensive lapse, does that invalidate his season? Of course not.
Lamar Jackson’s 2024 campaign was historic. He led the league in passer rating (119.6), threw 41 touchdowns to just four interceptions, and added 915 rushing yards to boot. He put Mike Vick (and every other dual-threat QB) in the backseat, carried the Ravens to a 12-5 record, and dominated nearly every statistical category mankind could quantify.
Josh Allen, meanwhile, had an incredible year of his own. He cut down on turnovers, put the Bills on his back after losing Stefon Diggs in the offseason, and led Buffalo to a 13-4 record. His ability to deliver in big moments was impressive, but it doesn’t erase the fact that Lamar edged him out in nearly every major category.
And yet, Sunday’s game will inevitably be framed as the “real” MVP decider. That’s ridiculous. If you’re only paying attention now, you’ve missed the point entirely.
This Ravens-Bills matchup is going to be absolutely epic. It’s two powerhouse teams led by two transcendent quarterbacks, battling for a spot in the AFC Championship. That’s more than enough to make it must-watch TV.
So, let’s leave the MVP narratives out of it. The award is about the regular season, and both Jackson and Allen made their cases before the playoffs began. The winner of Sunday’s game should be celebrated for advancing, not retroactively anointed as the MVP.
Instead of obsessing over who “deserves” the trophy, let’s appreciate the brilliance of both players. Marvel at Lamar’s dual-threat magic. Admire Allen’s cannon arm and clutch playmaking. Enjoy the spectacle without trying to tie it to an award that’s already been decided.
Because when it comes down to it, this game isn’t about individual accolades—it’s about who keeps their Super Bowl hopes alive. And that’s where the focus should stay.