CBS Sports

‘Josh Allen will try to elevate his legacy as the Buffalo Bills’ quarterback on Sunday, when the MVP candidate looks to advance to his first AFC championship game in four years. Regardless of how he fares against the Baltimore Ravens, the signal-caller could soon cash in with a new contract, according to NFL Media.’

‘Folks, there is a reason that the MVP race this year is so close. Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson were the two best players in the NFL this season. I’m not sure anyone else was all that close. They each then played terrific games in the first week of the playoffs. They have remarkably similar skill sets for players who are built so differently — they can absolutely annihilate you from the pocket when well protected, and they will destroy your defense and stick a dagger in your heart if they “have to” create outside of structure. They are the two best running quarterbacks in the league, but they do their damage in entirely different ways. If you think there is a clear advantage on either side of the ball here, I think you’re crazy.’

‘Ravens 27, Bills 24.’

‘The same area that gave Buffalo fits in the Ravens’ 35-10 win over the Bills in Baltimore in Week 4 remains an issue entering Sunday night: Baltimore’s multi-faceted run game vs. a Bills defense much more geared toward stopping the pass.’

‘The Bills have signed Anthony Brown, a three-year veteran quarterback who broke into the NFL with the Ravens back in 2022. Brown played in two games that season, throwing for 302 yards with two interceptions while completing just 44.9% of his throws. Like Jackson, Brown is capable of extending and making plays with his mobility, which is the main reason why Bills head coach Sean McDermott signed him.’

‘Most would say the NFL MVP race is over, especially considering last week’s All-Pro vote. Lamar Jackson was voted AP first-team All-Pro over Josh Allen, by the same voters who will decide the NFL MVP award. In fact, in case you were wondering, Sunday’s game will have no impact on the MVP race as the votes were already cast after the end of the regular season and before the playoffs.’

‘The odds could fluctuate throughout the week, but if the Ravens close as the favorite, it would mark the first time since the merger that the Bills have gone into a home playoff game has an underdog.’

‘It’ll be interesting to see how the Bills treat hybrid weapon Marvin Mims Jr. depending on where he lines up. He’s been moving all over the formation over the second half of the season, and the Broncos have made a concerted effort to get him the ball whenever he’s on the field. The Bills encouraging throws to him as if he were a running back may not be as wise. But if they treat him as a receiver when he’s lined up in the backfield, it could mess with some of their matchups elsewhere.’

‘”When people know their assignment and go out and execute and don’t care about when they get the ball, they just know they will get the ball at some point,” Allen said. “It makes playing with these guys extremely awesome.”‘

‘Nantz will call his 500th came with CBS, an incredible milestone that is a testament to Nantz’s continued excellence and tireless dedication to his craft.’

‘Bills quarterback Josh Allen ran for his 65th career touchdown in Week 17, tying him for the franchise record with Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas. Thomas, the league’s MVP in 1991, helped the Bills become the first franchise to play in four consecutive Super Bowls from 1990-93.’

‘Allen, who was back on the injury report this week with elbow and shoulder injuries, confirmed the report about his hand prior to Buffalo’s Week 17 matchup with the New York Jets.’

‘”It’s super dope, man. Shoutout to Senator Schumer. Shoutout to the Smart Hearts Coalition. Shoutout to the American Heart Association and to my Chasing M’s foundation,” Hamlin said when the Senate passed the bill, via ESPN. “We all came together to make some legacy off the field. I always wanted to, in my life, leave a legacy on the field, but to have a legacy and have meaning and purpose off the field.”‘

‘Allen was on the injury report until after the team’s Week 12 bye with a hand injury, but the severity of the injury remained unknown until now. It has impacted some areas of his play, as he is taking snaps under center only 15.4 percent of the time, which marks the third lowest rate of his career.’

‘Allen had an erratic evening against the Patriots, completing fewer than 60% of his passes while leading Buffalo to a three-point win over New England. He began shaking his right hand immediately after throwing passes late in the game, though the Bills cleared him to return shortly afterward, announcing he suffered a right elbow contusion.’