Here’s what Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen said about their rivalry

With both quarterbacks looking to guide their respective teams to the Super Bowl, football fans can expect a show when they meet in the divisional-round of the NFL’s playoffs.

Lamar Jackson & Josh Allen have a respectful rivalry

Football fans will know all too well that there is a rivalry between Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and his counterpart from the Buffalo Bills, Josh Allen. What they may not know is that between the two men, there is no hatred or disrespect.

This Sunday, the two men are set to meet when their teams face off at Highmark Stadium in what will be a battle between arguably the two strongest candidates for this season’s MVP. To say the divisional-round clash is highly anticipated would be an understatement. Of course, these two go way back having both been selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. With seven combined Pro Bowl selections between them, fans know these boys can play. Now, with clear Super Bowl ambitions, the focus will obviously be on them as they look to make good on their intentions.

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So, what do they think of each other as they prepare for Sunday’s big game? Speaking with the media Jackson seemed to suggest that right here and now it’s business though that may change in times to come. “When we’re older, we’ll probably laugh about it. But right now it’s serious,” Jackson said of his rivalry with Allen. “I ain’t laughing with you.” Continuing, Jackson made it clear that there is no animosity but ultimately this is about beating the other guy. “I don’t really chill with people in the offseason, especially not other QBs,” Jackson said. “... Don’t get me wrong. There’s no problem, but we’re competing against each other. Like, I’m trying to beat you. I’m not trying to be your friend.”

As for Allen, the Bills’ playmaker seemed to echo a similar sentiment. “In the history of football, I’ve never really played against another quarterback. I’ve played against their defense,” Allen said. “Just taking it one day at a time. Trying to have a good week of practice. Controlling what I can control. It’s attitude and effort.” Where history is concerned, Jackson and Allen have played against each other on four occasions with the record currently standing at 2-2, however, it was the Allen and the Bills who came out on top the last time they met Jackson and the Ravens in the playoffs, securing a 17-3 win back in January 2021. That’s something Jackson remembers all too well. “We’re just trying to win,” he said Wednesday. “That’s a tough environment, tough team—offense, defense, special teams. We’re just trying to go there and win.”