Allen and Jackson knew Sunday’s game would have no impact on the winner since the MVP voting had already taken place. This was about their heritage.
They have been two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL since they were drafted in 2018, but like Jackson, Allen has yet to reach a Super Bowl.
This will be Buffalo’s fourth matchup with Kansas City in the past five years, with the Chiefs winning all three previous meetings, including the 2021 AFC Championship Game.
Allen has been on a roll this season, giving him another chance to beat Chiefs and two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes.
The 28-year-old scored two rushing touchdowns to lead Buffalo to 21-10 at halftime, but Baltimore’s three turnovers proved costly.
After Jackson struck first and Rashod Bateman scored a 16-yard touchdown, the Bills hit back straight with a Ray Davis punch-in from the yard.
The Ravens quarterback had an interception and a fumble on Baltimore’s next two drives, but Bills linebacker Von Miller recovered the latter, creating a chance for Allen to score first.
After a field goal for Baltimore narrowed the lead, Allen again penetrated the end zone on a short yardage to give Buffalo the lead at the interval.
The Ravens boasted the best rushing offense in the league and got their run game going in the third quarter, earning a field goal and a Derrick Henry touchdown.
He missed a two-point shot to tie the score, but the Bills made a field goal to make it 24-19. Terrell Bernard then punched the ball out of Andrews’ hands with eight minutes remaining, recovering a fumble and giving Buffalo a chance to add a field goal.
Baltimore got its season back with 3:29 remaining, but Jackson closed the gap with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely.
Needing a two-point conversion to tie the game, it looked like it would go to Andrews, but the ball wriggled out of the tight end’s grasp on the goal line and the Ravens’ season was over.
