Baltimore Ravens legend laments unique Lamar Jackson-Josh Allen dichotomy in NFL media coverage

Hall of Famer Ed Reed criticized the narrative of Lamar Jackson as a run-first QB, noting Josh Allen had more rushing touchdowns during his MVP season.

Baltimore Ravens legend laments unique Lamar Jackson-Josh Allen dichotomy in NFL media coverage

Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen (Image via IMAGO)

Josh Allen winning the 2024 NFL MVP didn’t sit well with Ravens legend Ed Reed. The Hall of Famer believes Lamar Jackson deserved it more than the Bills quarterback.

While speaking with Adam Schein on the SiriusXM Radio Show, Reed questioned the voters’ methods and criteria for choosing an MVP. He posed a question that many will overlook.

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From Reed’s point of view, Allen should also be considered as a running back.

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Why they aren’t saying Josh Allen was a running back, and not Lamar? Who looks more like a running back? Why we don’t do that? But we know why…Let’s just tell the folks what it is.

Ed Reed said

Lamar Jackson is already one of the greatest dual threats but often receives criticism for refusing to pass the ball. However, his 41 passing touchdowns in 2024 tell a different story. Allen also contributed 40+ touchdowns last season, but only 28 of them were to a receiver; the rest (14) were recorded as rushing touchdowns.

Before the Ravens AFC Divisional round game against the Bills, Reed explained the method to stop Allen from throwing passes. According to him, the quarterback hits throw the 28-year-old off.

We would come at Josh Allen. Josh Allen would have to make throws, he would have to complete the football, show he can complete the football after he’s getting hit all day. And it’s proven that he can’t.

Ed Reed said via Heavy.com

The Ravens lost the game 25-27. Allen only completed 127 passing yards but scored two touchdowns on the ground. Jackson, meanwhile, turned the ball over twice.

Allen became only the third Bills player to win the NFL MVP award

Allen had a phenomenal campaign. He completed 3,731 passing yards, 28 TDs, 6 INTs, a 101.4 passer rating, 531 rushing yards, and 12 rushing TDs.

Baltimore Ravens legend laments unique Lamar Jackson-Josh Allen dichotomy in NFL media coverage
Josh Allen (Image via IMAGO)

The former first-rounder received 27 first votes (383 total votes), while Jackson got 23 (362 total votes). This was the first time since 2012 that the MVP voting was decided by fewer than 15 first-place votes (Adrian Peterson beat out Peyton Manning). It was the first time since 2005 that the winner was decided fewer than 10 votes were cast (Shaun Alexander only bagged 19 votes out of 50).

Josh Allen became only the third Bills player ever to become the NFL MVP. Before him, running back Thurman Thomas in 1991 and OJ Simpson in 1973 became NFL MVPs.

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