On Thursday, the NFL released five players for the 2024 NFL MVP Award: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow,

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 12: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs at Highmark Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

Buffalo edged Baltimore, 27-25, after the Ravens’ Mark Andrews dropped what would have been a tying two-point conversion pass in the final minutes.

They lost Tank Dell to a devastating knee injury a few weeks ago, and of course they also lost their major offseason acquisition, Stefon Diggs, earlier in the year. And if C.J. Stroud has his way, Diggs will be back next season.

Both quarterbacks had their doubters leading up to the draft. Now, the AFC divisional round's winner will be within a game of a Super Bowl.

The MVP award won't be decided on Sunday, but the ramifications of the game figure to be immense for the two QBs and their franchises.

The fourth and final matchup of the Divisional Round is perhaps the most highly-anticipated of them all. MVP front-runners Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are put to the test under the bright lights and go head-to-head for a spot in the AFC Championship.

The Texans picked up wide receiver Stefon Diggs last offseason, but his year was cut short by a torn ACL in Week Eight.

Finally, Lamar has a propensity to run more during the playoffs. He rushed 15 times last week for 81 yards in Baltimore’s win over Pittsburgh. The only time he’s rushed for 15 or more times this season was all the way back in Week 1. In six out of his seven postseason appearances, he’s rushed for at least 54 yards.

The Buffalo Bills visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday with a Super Bowl trip on the line. Josh Allen has what it takes to beat Patrick Mahomes, but can he?

From a results-based standpoint, you’d probably categorize this season as a success for the Texans based on how far they took it. However, reaching the divisional round of the playoffs for the second-straight year should not stop Houston from staring down the serious flaws they showed on offense this season.

Following an impressive divisional-round performance vs. the Ravens, Bills QB Josh Allen sent a message to the doubters.