Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are back at it this Sunday night as their squads—the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills—kick off another grueling NFL campaign. The stakes might not match their dramatic playoff showdown from earlier this year, but that nagging question remains: Can either signal-caller finally get past Patrick Mahomes and those pesky Kansas City Chiefs to grab AFC supremacy?
Respect Runs Deep Despite the Competition
Jackson makes it a point to keep his distance from opposing quarterbacks, preferring rivalry over friendship. But his admiration for Bills standout Josh Allen became crystal clear after a brutal playoff defeat roughly seven and a half months back. When the Bills edged them 27-25 in that AFC divisional round clash, the two shared a long embrace on the sideline. Jackson pushed Allen forward, telling him to go chase greatness—be it an MVP crown or that elusive Super Bowl ring.
Not long after, Allen grabbed his first MVP award, barely outpacing Jackson in what turned into a nail-biter of a vote. Yet Allen’s championship dreams got crushed when Buffalo stumbled against the Chiefs in a heart-stopping AFC Championship Game. Here they are again, both starting fresh in the regular season, still hunting that championship ghost.
Making Early Statements in Week 1
This matchup won’t carry the immediate punch of a playoff clash, but analysts see it as a crucial indicator of who might snag the top AFC seed. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky labeled it “a statement game” that could shape home-field advantage down the road, though he’s quick to note it won’t be the only factor deciding postseason fate.
Since Baltimore’s Super Bowl triumph back in 2012 with Joe Flacco, the AFC playoffs have been ruled by a select few quarterbacks. Mahomes has reached five Super Bowls in 12 seasons, Tom Brady made four appearances, and Peyton Manning grabbed two shots. Joe Burrow guided Cincinnati to one Super Bowl before coming up short. Jackson and Allen stand out as the most gifted quarterbacks still chasing their first trip to the NFL’s grandest stage—both carrying heavy expectations as recent MVP winners.
Built Through Adversity and Steady Progress
The 2018 first-round quarterback class has mostly panned out well, with Josh Rosen being the lone exception after exiting the league in 2023. Baker Mayfield has carved out success in Tampa Bay, Sam Darnold breathed new life into his career with Minnesota, while Allen and Jackson have become the bedrock of their respective franchises.
Allen, selected seventh overall, has steered the Bills to five straight AFC East titles and six consecutive playoff berths. Jackson, the final pick of the first round, sports an impressive 70-24 regular-season record with six playoff appearances across seven campaigns, missing time only due to injury setbacks.
Orlovsky emphasized how both quarterbacks have stayed authentic to themselves, brushing off early skepticism and criticism. “Josh was under-recruited,” he observed. “Lamar faced the same challenges. Both encountered obstacles but have grown in remarkably similar ways.”
Championship Dreams Drive Everything
Both men wear their Super Bowl ambitions on their sleeves. Jackson’s championship hunger is palpable throughout Ravens headquarters, while Allen revealed on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” his vivid fantasies of a Buffalo Super Bowl parade. Their organizations mirror those lofty goals, assembling formidable, competitive rosters.
Buffalo returns virtually the same group that narrowly lost to Kansas City last season, keeping their entire starting offensive line intact while adding wide receiver Joshua Palmer and pass rusher Joey Bosa. Baltimore brings back ten of eleven offensive starters and has plugged defensive holes with promising draft selections Malaki Starks, Mike Green, plus free-agent acquisitions Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie.
Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins couldn’t hide his excitement about the upcoming battle. “Going up against elite teams in big moments—that’s what this is all about. Lamar embodies everything you picture when you think Ravens, and facing former and current MVPs feels like a video game where you match the best against each other.”
Keeping the Focus Beyond Individual Matchups
True to character, neither Allen nor Jackson are making this about a quarterback showdown. Allen stressed the importance of studying the opposing defense rather than its quarterback, while acknowledging Jackson’s explosive playmaking ability. Jackson, meanwhile, shrugged off Allen’s recent MVP victory as personal motivation, keeping his eyes fixed on the bigger prize.
“What’s understood doesn’t need to be spoken,” said Ravens quarterbacks coach Tee Martin. Jackson echoed that sentiment: “My drive comes from winning the Super Bowl. MVPs are nice, but the ultimate goal is that championship.”
Early Hurdles and the Road Ahead
While this game matters, it arguably carries more significance for Baltimore, which saw their AFC playoff run end last season while Buffalo advanced further. Ravens running back Derrick Henry acknowledged the reality: “They moved forward and we didn’t. They’ve got the advantage right now.”
Baltimore also faces a more demanding early schedule, meeting multiple playoff teams within the first six weeks, while Buffalo won’t encounter their first postseason opponent until Week 9 when they meet the Chiefs.
Both teams and their quarterbacks understand their real test comes during January’s postseason gauntlet. Sunday’s season opener will feel more like a preview of what’s coming down the line.
Orlovsky captured the broader sentiment perfectly: “Great quarterbacks with ridiculous talent eventually win the Super Bowl. That’s what we’re all hoping to witness. I’m pulling for both Lamar and Josh as this season gets rolling.”
Contributors: The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia and Tim Graham.
(Photo credit: Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
