Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen highlights NFL playoff slate: Who deserves MVP?
This weekend's divisional round of the NFL playoffs features two quarterbacks in remarkably similar positions.
This weekend's divisional round of the NFL playoffs features two quarterbacks in remarkably similar positions. Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens are the leading MVP candidates this season.
Both signal callers are seeking their first Super Bowl appearances as they have both been unable to get past Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. They are also dual threats: Jackson led all quarterbacks this year with 915 rushing yards. Allen was fifth with 531.
The two face each other Sunday in arguably the marquee game of the weekend, which also features the Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans and the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders on Saturday. Sunday's other contest is between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams.
With a multitude of storylines to watch, NBC News’ Rohan Nadkarni and Andrew Grief and NBC Sports’ Patrick Daugherty are here to break it down from every angle.
Nadkarni: I feel pretty confident in saying Jackson is the MVP, and it’s not a particularly difficult decision. That’s not to say it isn’t close or that Allen doesn’t have a good case. At the same time, Jackson has more passing yards, a higher completion percentage, more passing touchdowns, fewer interceptions, more rushing yards and more total touchdowns. The Bills’ superior record does not matter to me, because the AFC East was not very good. And while Derrick Henry has been a boon to the Ravens’ backfield, it’s not like every quarterback who played with him puts up Lamar numbers.
Rating: 5