The Baltimore Ravens suffered another heartbreaking end to the season.
They dominated Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in their first meeting, looking like a juggernaut of a team.
Then, they couldn’t keep that same energy going in the postseason.
Now, both teams will square off again to kick off their campaigns in 2025.
Unfortunately for John Harbaugh and company, history isn’t on their side.
As pointed out by Grant Gordon of NFL.com, stats and previous games suggest that the Ravens might have a tough time against the reigning MVP:
> “While it will be a historic Week 1 matchup, history doesn’t bode well for Jackson and the Ravens. In Week 1 rematches of playoff games from the previous seasons, the postseason winner has won each of the last seven contests, including the Chiefs beating the Ravens last year — and the Detroit Lions defeating the Los Angeles Rams,” Gordon [wrote](https://www.nfl.com/news/history-suggests-josh-allen-s-bills-will-thwart-lamar-jackson-s-ravens-in-week-1-showdown). “Furthermore, it will mark the fourth Week 1 matchup all time between an MVP and an MVP runner-up regardless of position. In each of the following showdowns, the MVP’s team came out on top, per NFL Research.”
Both teams will have a lot to prove and be extra motivated next season.
Jackson, as good a player as he is, has been singled out for his postseason struggles over and over, and last season wasn’t the exception to that rule.
Allen, on the other hand, has been spectacular even in losses, but his team has failed to reach the final game of the season, regardless of his heroics and big efforts.
This will also have a bit of a personal component.
Allen and Jackson went back and forth for MVP honors all season long, but the final vote wasn’t that close at all.
That should be more than enough motivation for Jackson to prove that they got it all wrong, and for Allen to demonstrate why it should’ve never been a debate.
Whatever the case, one thing’s for sure: The fans will be in for an absolute treat.
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