Josh Allen is the reigning NFL MVP, while Baker Mayfield was the No. 1 overall pick of their draft class.
The two gems who entered the league in 2018 square off Sunday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers battle the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Allen was the seventh overall selection in a stellar class that included two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, who went No. 32 to the Baltimore Ravens.
Mayfield fell out of favor with the Cleveland Browns after four seasons and bounced around to two other teams before reviving his career with the Buccaneers. This is his third season with Tampa Bay, where he has thrown 85 touchdown passes against 28 interceptions in 43 regular-season games.
“I love the guy. He’s awesome,” Allen said of Mayfield on Wednesday. “To see kind of how his career has progressed and the adversity that he’s fought through, and playing some really, really dang good football right now.
“I’m a big fan of his. Anytime I get to watch games, I’m watching what he does because he’s very fun to watch.”
The two signal-callers have a strong friendship and get together for offseason golf outings.
Mayfield said Allen’s 6-foot-5 height, four inches more than Mayfield’s, makes it hard to communicate with him.
“I have to walkie-talkie to him because he’s so damn tall, so I can’t really have a face-to-face conversation with him,” Mayfield said, joking. “But in Buffalo, it’s cold, it’s rainy; even though he’s 6-10, his hands are small, so he better wear his gloves.”
When Allen learned about Mayfield’s comments, he returned serve: “That’s crazy. Baker wears two gloves golfing. So, he’s that type of guy.”
The two fierce competitors won’t be doing much joking during the game.
Both teams are 6-3 and coming off losses. The Bills were whipped 30-13 by the lowly Miami Dolphins, while Tampa Bay was outclassed 28-23 by the New England Patriots.
Buffalo has lost three of its last five games, and the offense isn’t clicking. On Monday, Bills coach Sean McDermott defended the performance of offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
“Joe’s a good coach. He really is. We’ve got a really good offensive staff,” McDermott said. “They’ve had really good games. You’re going to have some games you want back, some play calls you want back.
“It’s how you respond to them, and I’m fully confident in our offensive staff, and Joe as our leader, that we will make the adjustments we need to make and move us forward.”
Allen has passed for 2,139 yards and 15 touchdowns against five interceptions, while James Cook ranks second in the NFL with 920 rushing yards. Cook and Allen have each run for seven scores.
The Buccaneers have dropped two of their past three games and are just 3-3 after a 3-0 start.
Mayfield has thrown for 2,192 yards and 16 touchdowns and has been intercepted just twice.
Star rookie Emeka Egbuka has been a force with 40 catches for 677 yards and six touchdowns. He notched his third 100-yard outing of the season by catching six passes for 115 yards and a touchdown against New England.
“Been amazing for me to experience and learn during my rookie year,” Egbuka said. “I welcome the challenge on the biggest stage in the National Football League; that is kind of what you want. You want to be able to test yourself against the best of the best and go against the best (defensive back).”
Tampa Bay could get running back Bucky Irving (shoulder/foot) back against the Bills. He has missed the past five games and was limited in Wednesday’s walk-through. Outside linebacker Haason Reddick (ankle/knee) and guard Ben Bredeson (hamstring) sat out for the Buccaneers.
Tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) and defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis (shoulder) were out for the Bills.
Allen passed for two scores and rushed for one as Buffalo defeated visiting Tampa Bay 24-18 in 2023. Mayfield tossed two touchdowns for the Buccaneers.