With the wild-card round ending on Monday night, only eight teams remain as we enter the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs.
Arguably, the most anticipated matchup of the quarterfinals comes in the AFC, as the No. 2 seed Buffalo Bills host the No. 3 seed Baltimore Ravens.
This game brings a battle of two elite quarterbacks: the Bills’ Josh Allen and the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson. Both stars have been lighting it up this season, and both are considered the top two MVP candidates by most.
Ahead of the Sunday afternoon game, former NFL and Ravens safety Ed Reed joined SportsCenter to discuss the upcoming game. When asked who he would pick as the NFL MVP, Reed didn’t hesitate to declare Jackson as the winner.
“I got Lamar Jackson,” Reed said. “I mean, his stats are better. I can go and say ‘plays’ and do all that stuff, but for me, it’s Lamar. No question about it.”
Former Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed
Jason Getz-Imagn Images
Reed went on to reveal his message to Jackson amid the potential Super Bowl run.
“My message for Lamar was like, he knows what this is about, at the end of the day,” Reed added. “He’s gotten MVP, and I know he wouldn’t mind having another one, but also know what the goal is. What the goal always is. And I’m sure that’s the same thing for Josh.”
Jackson had one of his best seasons as a passer. The two-time MVP completed 316-of-474 passes for career-highs of 4,172 yards and 41 touchdowns. He also outranks Allen in total touchdowns, 45-40.
Reed has tons of playoff experience of his own. He made numerous deep postseason runs with Baltimore during his 11-year tenure, including helping the franchise win its second Super Bowl in the 2012 season. The former Miami Hurricanes safety was also named the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year and made eight All-Pro teams.
The Ravens will take on the Bills on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET in Highmark Stadium.
