The Buffalo Bills are gearing up to face Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in what promises to be an epic Divisional Round clash. To prepare for the most electric player in football, the Bills are taking a page out of basketball lore—and it'll surely grab the Ravens' attention.
According to Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver, their approach to Jackson has been inspired by the late, great Kobe Bryant. “Our coach said something that really stuck with me,” Oliver said. “‘He’s like Kobe Bryant. ... Kobe Bryant’s gonna get his at some point.’ And 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.”
Bills DT Ed Oliver on Lamar Jackson:
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltim0re) January 16, 2025
"Our coach said something that really stuck with me: 'He's like Kobe Bryant. ... Kobe Bryant's gonna get his at some point.' And that was a great analogy. Lamar's gonna get his at some point. And we know that. And everybody watching knows… pic.twitter.com/itN2A3l8On
The comparison is as fitting as it is flattering. Lamar, who wears No. 8 just like Kobe did early in his career, has built his legacy as a game-changer who forces opponents into damage control rather than containing the storm.
Ed Oliver compares Lamar Jackson to the late great Kobe Bryant
The Bills aren’t wrong to lean into this mindset. Lamar has made a career out of turning “containment” into highlight reels.
His jaw-dropping ability to evade defenders and extend plays is legendary, and Buffalo learned that lesson the hard way in Week 4. In that 35–10 rout, Jackson accounted for three touchdowns (two through the air and one on the ground) and looked like he was playing on a different level.
Lamar Jackson doesn’t need to be the loudest guy in the room to get his point across. His leadership comes through in how he plays, not in flashy quotes or soundbites. Lamar’s actions speak louder than anything he could say—whether it’s a dime from the pocket, a juke that sends a defender to another universe, or anything and everything in between. And when he does talk, it’s straight to the point—he’s here to win, period. Forget the hype. Forget the distractions. Jackson’s all about getting the job done, and that’s exactly what you want in your franchise quarterback.
The Bills are doing everything they can to prep for Jackson. They’ve even brought in former Ravens backup QB Anthony Brown to simulate Jackson in practice. It's not the first time a team has used a mobile quarterback to emulate Jackson—the Dallas Cowboys tried earlier with Trey Lance. That failed.
Replicating Lamar’s game speed, vision, and creativity in practice is like trying to imitate Kobe’s Mamba Mentality—it’s never quite the same as the original thing.
Buffalo might slow Lamar Jackson down, but as Ed Oliver said, “He’s gonna get his.” That’s the reality every defense faces against a player like Lamar. The Bills may come prepared, but Jackson thrives in the chaos, and Sunday night is another chance for him to show why he’s the most electric player to ever play in the NFL.