ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield likes to joke about how much he looks up to Josh Allen.
What You Need To Know
Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen have mutual respect in a friendship that began in 2018, when they were among five quarterbacks selected in the first round of the NFL Draft
They face off on Sunday, when the Bills (6-3) host the Buccaneers (6-3)
The meeting on Sunday marks their third, with each splitting the first two, and comes at a critical juncture for their teams’ playoff aspirations
Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
“I have to walkie-talkie to him because he’s so damn tall,” the 6-foot-1 Mayfield said, attempting to maintain a straight face when discussing his relationship with the Bills quarterback, who stands 6-foot-5.
“So I can’t really have a face-to-face conversation with him,” Mayfield added, before suggesting Allen has small hands for his size.
Allen shot back by accusing Mayfield of wearing two gloves when he golfs, after the two were paired at a celebrity tournament this summer.
The playful banter is an indication of a mutual respect in a friendship that began in 2018, when they were among five quarterbacks selected in the first round of the draft.
The bond has grown given the career challenges they’ve overcome since, in establishing themselves as franchise-caliber players preparing to face off on Sunday, when the Bills (6-3) host the Buccaneers (6-3).
“I love the guy. He’s awesome,” Allen said. “To see how his career has progressed and the adversity he’s fought through, he’s playing some really, really dang good football right now.”
Mayfield’s rise has been gradual since being drafted first overall by the Cleveland Browns.
It took him five seasons and stops with the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams before finally finding the right fit in Tampa Bay. This year might be Mayfield’s most impressive in working his way into the midseason NFL MVP conversation for his production overseeing an injury-depleted offense.
For Allen, drafted seventh by Buffalo, he shed knocks about his accuracy and mechanics coming out of Wyoming by transforming the Bills into an AFC power and earning MVP honors last season.
The meeting on Sunday marks just their third, with each splitting the first two, and comes at a critical juncture for their teams’ playoff aspirations.
The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills have dropped three of five and face a crisis of confidence on offense after the passing game sputtered in a 30-13 loss at Miami.
The four-time defending NFC South champion Buccaneers still lead their division, but have dropped two of three following a 28-23 loss at New England. Injuries remain the biggest concern, with Tampa Bay playing much of the season without receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and running back Bucky Irving.
Mayfield refused to use injuries as an excuse by voicing concerns about the team lacking a killer instinct following the loss on Sunday.
“I’m perfectly fine with it,” coach Todd Bowles said. “When you’re one of the captains of the team, you know what it looks like. … He spoke up, and everybody took it the right way.”