Lamar Jackson Versus Josh Allen: What Do The Numbers Say?
Updated: Oct 8
There’s no debate about who the best quarterback in the NFL is. With almost 30,000 yards, 225 touchdowns, and three Super Bowl rings in a little over six seasons, it’s clearly Patrick Mahomes. Any attempt to debate otherwise is futile, and frankly, a terrible look for anyone claiming to have an inkling of football knowledge.
The real debate is who the second-best quarterback in the NFL is. There could be as many as eight players in contention for that title, but in reality, it’s between two players, and neither of them is named Joe Burrow. Named by some as the “Kingslayer” (Mahomes being the king obviously), he lacks the most important ability a quarterback needs to be great. Availability.
The two players vying for the silver medal of quarterbacks don’t get injured every other season. They are Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills. The two are normally compared together anyway, because of the fact they are both mobile and punish opposing defenses with their arms and their legs. What story do the numbers tell about the matchup; Lamar Jackson Versus Josh Allen?
Numbers For Josh Allen
Drafted seventh overall in 2018 out of Wyoming, Allen has been a late bloomer. He started 11 games his rookie year and completed just 52.8% of his passes. Like fictional baseball player Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn, Allen’s arm strength was undeniable, but his accuracy was lacking. His sophomore season wasn’t much better, completing just 58.8% of his passes, but he has gone up from there.
Allen’s career completion percentage is 63.4% and he has amassed just over 23,500 yards in the air. He has thrown 174 touchdown passes to 78 interceptions. As mentioned above, he can also kill you when he runs the ball. He has 679 career carries for 3,717 yards (5.47 ypc) and 55 touchdowns to 62 fumbles. Allen also sports a career record of 66-31-0, which means he wins 68% of the games he starts.
Playoff Josh is outstanding as well. Though his career 5-5 record may be underwhelming, but his losses aren’t from a lack of performance. If anything, his defenses historically have been to blame for his lack of success in the postseason. Allen completes 64.6% of his passes in the playoffs for 272.3 yards per game. He also has 21 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions. His playoff rushing stats are 83 carries for 563 yards (6.78ypc) and 5 touchdowns to 9 fumbles.
Numbers for Lamar Jackson
Jackson was the final selection of the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. This Patriots fan was rooting for his team to draft the Heisman winner, but they opted instead for Sony Michel and Isaiah Wynn. Sometimes fans are smarter than Belichick. Jackson started just seven games as a rookie, and like Allen, had some accuracy issues, completing just 58.2% of his passes.
It was all uphill for Lamar after that, as his career completion percentage is 64.6%, to go with his 16,745 yards in the air. He has 130 passing touchdowns to just 46 interceptions. Running the ball he has 916 carries for 5,566 yards (6.08ypc) and 31 touchdowns to 55 fumbles. He has a career 60-21-0 record (74.1% winning percentage), has been named league MVP twice, and was voted the best quarterback in the NFL by his peers.
Playoff Lamar has not been as successful. He has a record of 2-4 in the postseason, completing just 57.4% of his passes. He has six passing touchdowns to six interceptions. As a rusher, he has 73 carries for 521 yards (7.14ypc) and he has three touchdowns to six fumbles.
What Do The Numbers Reveal?
The numbers present a mixed bag to fans. Depending on whether a person values the postseason over regular season, or passing yards only versus total yards. It will depend on how important accuracy is for a quarterback versus turnover-to-score ratio. At the end of the day, the numbers may not settle the debate. In the eyes of this writer, the numbers are inconclusive.