Dec 8, 2019; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) greets Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) following the game at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills were on a rampage, blowing out and flat out dominating their opponents in weeks one and two of the 2022 NFL season. In week three, they hit a brick wall of injuries, heat, and self-inflicted mistakes. After dropping their first game of the season to the Dolphins, they’re looking to get healthier and bounce back this Sunday against the phenomenal Lamar Jackson, and his Baltimore Ravens. Jackson is on fire to start the year and defeating him is never an easy task. Thankfully, the Bills’ quarterback is Josh Allen, who is one of the few quarterbacks who can keep up with Jackson’s electric playing style. It is set to be a showdown between the two most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL.
After a down and injury touched season last year, Lamar was sort of put on a backburner in quarterback rankings across the league. Fully healed and in a contract year, Lamar has come roaring back to show he’s still a top-dog in the NFL. Through three games, Lamar has 749 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, and a 119.0 passer rating. His 10 passing touchdowns is leading the league heading into week four. On the ground, Jackson is as electric as ever, adding 243 yards, and two more touchdowns. His 243 rushing yards has him tied for fifth among all players in rushing yards for the season, as a quarterback. Jackson has had at least three passing touchdowns in every game this year and looks much improved, making him even more dangerous. The Ravens are 2-1 and one of the top teams in the AFC once again.
Lamar isn’t the only quarterback on a tear to start this year, his opponent this Sunday is as well. Josh Allen has blossomed into a bonafide superstar and backs it up every week. Whether it’s effortlessly tossing a 50-plus yard bomb, or stiff arming an opposing linebacker into the turf, Allen is electric in his own way. Through three games, he has a 71.2% completion percentage, 1,014 passing yards, nine touchdown passes, and a 109.8 passer rating. Allen has also added 113 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. His 1,014 passing yards leads the NFL, and his ten total touchdowns ranks second in the league behind only Lamar. Allen has accounted for 79% of the entire Bills’ offensive output, and his 1,127 total yards this season is currently more than 27 out of 32 teams in the league. Behind Allen, despite their week three loss, the Bills still look like the top team in the league.
At the end of the day, Allen and Lamar are the two most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL. Whilst Allen still appears to be the better passer, Lamar is the more electric runner. The latter, however, should not be overthought in any way; Lamar is leading the league in touchdown passes and Josh Allen will literally run a linebacker over or hurdle a man. Also worth nothing, since 2018, Allen leads the league in rushing touchdowns with 32, second is Jackson with 23. Since 2018, they are the only two players with 80 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns. The only players in NFL history to reach nine touchdown passes and 100 rushing yards in the first three weeks of a season are Allen and Jackson, who have accomplished the feature this season. It will be the third time the two quarterbacks have faced off; Lamar got the upper hand in 2019, but in 2020 Allen defeated Lamar and his Ravens to advance to the AFC Championship. In what is shaping up to be a heavyweight bout of the most dynamic quarterbacks, the only negative is the NFL didn’t make this a Sunday Night Football Game.
