Lamar Jackson revolutionized the NFL with his rushing ability when he entered the league. Josh Allen might be the one who ends up in the record books for his work on the ground.
Both quarterbacks offer something unique as runners, from Jackson’s speed to Allen’s ability to use his frame and muscle past defenders. In recent years, though, Allen’s method has proven to be more sustainable.
As Lamar Jackson works his way back from another nagging injury, here’s a closer look at how his rushing stats stack up against Allen in their ninth season in the NFL.
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Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen rushing stats
Here’s how Jackson and Allen compare from a yards, touchdown and efficiency standpoint on the ground.
Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen rushing yards
| Season | Starts | Lamar Jackson | Josh Allen |
| 2018 | 7 | 695 | 631 |
| 2019 | 15 | 1,206 | 510 |
| 2020 | 15 | 1,005 | 421 |
| 2021 | 12 | 767 | 763 |
| 2022 | 12 | 764 | 762 |
| 2023 | 16 | 821 | 524 |
| 2024 | 17 | 915 | 531 |
| 2025 | 13 | 349 | 579 |
| 2026 | 4 | 144 | 240 |
| Total | 120 | 6,666 | 4,961 |
From a yards standpoint, Jackson has done something no other quarterback has done. His 1,206 rushing yards during his 2019 season are an NFL record for quarterbacks, and he came back the following season to run for another 1,005 yards.
In recent seasons, though, injuries and perhaps even age have slowed him a bit. Jackson hasn’t rushed for 1,000 yards since 2020, and his 349 yards over 13 starts in 2025 were curiously low. In 2026, the jury is still out as he tries to return from an ankle injury that sidelined him for three games.
Allen has been more consistent, even if he hasn’t done what Jackson did in 2019. Another 260 yards this season would give Allen his eighth season of at least 500 rushing yards, though his career total remains well short of Jackson’s QB record of 6,666 yards.
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Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen rushing TDs
| Season | Starts | Lamar Jackson | Josh Allen |
| 2018 | 7 | 5 | 8 |
| 2019 | 15 | 7 | 9 |
| 2020 | 15 | 7 | 8 |
| 2021 | 12 | 2 | 6 |
| 2022 | 12 | 3 | 7 |
| 2023 | 16 | 5 | 15 |
| 2024 | 17 | 4 | 12 |
| 2025 | 13 | 2 | 14 |
| 2026 | 4 | 1 | 8 |
| Total | 120 | 36 | 87 |
It’s no contest between Jackson and Allen when it comes to rushing touchdowns, as Allen has more than double Jackson’s touchdown total on the ground through nine seasons. Allen has rushed for at least eight touchdowns in seven of his nine seasons, while Jackson has never rushed for more than seven in a season.
Allen’s 87 rushing touchdowns are a record for a quarterback, ahead of Cam Newton’s mark of 75.
With his large frame, Allen and the Bills are unafraid to use him as a wrecking ball, while the Ravens are content to play to Jackson’s strengths, particularly with Derrick Henry in the backfield.
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Lamar Jackson vs. Josh Allen rushing efficiency
| Season | Starts | Lamar Jackson | Josh Allen |
| 2018 | 7 | 4.7 | 7.1 |
| 2019 | 15 | 6.9 | 4.7 |
| 2020 | 15 | 6.3 | 4.1 |
| 2021 | 12 | 5.8 | 6.3 |
| 2022 | 12 | 6.8 | 6.1 |
| 2023 | 16 | 5.5 | 4.7 |
| 2024 | 17 | 6.6 | 5.2 |
| 2025 | 13 | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| 2026 | 4 | 7.6 | 5.0 |
| Total | 120 | 6.1 | 5.4 |
Jackson is averaging more than six yards per carry across his nine seasons, leading Allen’s 5.4. The Ravens quarterback flashed elite efficiency in 2019 and 2020; to his credit, he was averaging 7.6 yards per attempt before his injury this season, albeit on far fewer attempts than in those earlier seasons.
Allen, whose efficiency is hurt by all of the goal-line situations and “tush push” formations he’s used in, is still averaging at least five yards per carry over the last three seasons; he matched Jackson’s 5.2 yards per carry in 2025 but has only posted a more efficient season then Jackson on the ground twice.
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