Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen will take center stage Sunday, but only the winning quarterback will perform again next week.
Beating the Buffalo Bills and getting back to the AFC Championship game has Jackson's full attention this week. He respects Allen, but they can't share the Lombardi Trophy.
The enormous hype surrounding this game featuring two MVP-caliber quarterbacks is for others to talk about. Jackson is focused on the business, not the matchup that has the sports world's attention.
"Excuse me for everyone who's watching, but I really don't care who's watching," Jackson said. "Us players, we're just trying to win. We really don't care how people feel about it. That's a tough environment, tough team – offense, defense, special teams.
"I believe we're already built up. It's playoffs, it's not like we can go out there, lose a game, and prepare for another game. It's win or go home."
Both quarterbacks were in the 2018 draft class, which will link them throughout their careers, and that fact isn't lost on Jackson. However, this isn't the time to reminisce or reflect. Jackson lives in the moment and doesn't spend much time fraternizing with the opposition.
"When we're older, we'll probably laugh about it," Jackson said. "But right now, it's serious.
"I have probably seen Josh early on in our career going to certain events around the Super Bowl time and stuff like that, but in the offseason, I don't really chill with people, especially not other quarterbacks. Don't get me wrong, there's no problem or nothing like that, but we're competing with each other. I'm trying to beat you; I'm not trying to be your friend."
Their unique playing styles and all-world athleticism only adds to their magnetism – two quarterbacks who have helped redefine how the position can be played. Jackson and Allen do things that simply can't be taught and won't hesitate to win with their legs if they can't do it with their arms. Head Coach John Harbaugh views both quarterbacks as trendsetters for mobile quarterbacks.
"It seems like most guys now are kind of like that," Harbaugh said. "Like a guy like Bo Nix comes into the league this year, and he's that kind of a guy, and Justin Herbert's that kind of a guy. I mean, they're kind of everywhere now. It seems likes more the mold now. It used to be breaking the mold, but now it seems like it's becoming the mold."
As a charter member of the human highlight club, Jackson admires Allen's creativity.
"His uniqueness of making things happen when plays break down," Jackson said. "Strong arm, make any throw on the field."
Harbaugh said he respects Allen's passion for winning, which is another trait he shares with Jackson. In his rookie season, Allen took exception to something Ravens legend Terrell Suggs said or did and let him know about it.
"I mean [Josh Allen is the] ultimate-type competitor. Obviously, he has that he's a fiery personality. We saw that his rookie year," Harbaugh said. "I don't know what happened. He was hit on the sideline or something, and he came up swinging. I respected that."
The next competition between Jackson and Allen's teams is highly anticipated and will make for great theatre. But Jackson said he can't take his intensity to a higher level. It's already at its peak.
"It's the same as last week," Jackson said. "I feel like our guys are just locked in. The playoff atmosphere is pretty much serious around the building. We've been joking, but not that much. Guys are just locked in, because a lot of us was here last year, and we know what's at stake for us."
