The line was short and unmistakable. Asked about his quarterback after the Baltimore Ravens’ 41-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Derrick Henry called Lamar Jackson the “best player in the league” and “best player for a long time.”

Henry had earned the microphone. He carried 24 times for 144 yards and three touchdowns, surpassing Marcus Allen and moving into third on the NFL’s all-time rushing touchdowns list with 125. Baltimore outgained Indianapolis 506 yards to 251.

Jackson delivered his own case. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 324 yards and added a rushing touchdown in Jesse Minter’s debut as Baltimore head coach, the first game of the post-Harbaugh era. Zay Flowers went for five catches and 150 yards before leaving with a hamstring issue.

Allen won 2024 MVP, Jackson 2023

Henry did not name Josh Allen. He did not have to. The Bills quarterback has spent two seasons at the front of the “who is the league’s best” argument that runs directly through Baltimore.

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Allen won the 2024 MVP award, edging Jackson by 21 points. The four-vote margin in first-place ballots was the tightest MVP finish since 2003. Jackson had taken the 2023 award a year earlier. Matthew Stafford claimed the 2025 MVP, with Allen finishing third in the voting.

The Ravens travel to Highmark Stadium to meet the Bills in Week 8 on Sunday, 1 November. Kick-off is at 1pm local time, with the game on CBS.

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