Sunday will feature one of the most eagerly awaited NFL Divisional Round games in recent years, as the Baltimore Ravens travel to upstate New York to face the Buffalo Bills.
The matchup features two MVP frontrunners, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, who lead their respective teams. Both quarterbacks have propelled their teams to top-three offenses, making each squad a formidable contender in the AFC, with many considering them the biggest threats to the Kansas City Chiefs’ dominance.
When asked about containing the reigning MVP, Bills head coach Sean McDermott offered high praise for Lamar Jackson.
“There’s only one Lamar Jackson at the end of the day. You do the best you can to try and simulate it… good luck,” said Bills head coach Sean McDermott.
McDermott’s words were quite literal, as the Bills made an interesting roster move ahead of the matchup.
The Bills signed quarterback Anthony Brown to their practice squad. Brown, who was Jackson’s teammate with the Ravens in 2022, had previously been part of the Bills’ organization during the offseason before being released. He spent the remainder of the season with the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad.
It’s not only the Ravens connection that makes Brown a valuable asset for simulating Lamar Jackson in practice. His playing style and experience offer the closest resemblance to Jackson’s unique skill set.
Brown is a dual-threat quarterback, having rushed for 658 yards and nine touchdowns during his senior season at Oregon. McDermott recognized this aspect of Brown’s game and its value in simulating Lamar Jackson’s playing style.
“What Anthony brings to the table is both – throw it and run it… there is more of a true, honest look,” said Bills head coach Sean McDermott, highlighting Brown’s ability to replicate both Jackson’s passing and rushing abilities.
You could call him “Lamar Jackson Lite,” as Anthony Brown’s dual-threat abilities offer a closer approximation to Jackson’s playing style, making him an ideal practice squad addition for the Bills.
Anthony Brown has seen limited NFL action, playing in just two games during the 2022 season for the Ravens. He even started in place of Lamar Jackson during their Week 18 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
In the Week 18 game against the Bengals, with playoff positioning on the line, Anthony Brown completed 19 of 44 passes but failed to throw a touchdown and was intercepted twice. Surprisingly, he didn’t attempt a run, despite being sacked four times.
Brown is expected to give the Bills’ defense the closest approximation of Lamar Jackson’s style compared to any other quarterback on the roster. As McDermott emphasized, while Brown isn’t Jackson, no one else truly is.
