“Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen first crossed paths in 2020, and since then, their encounters have been frequent. This marks their third playoff meeting in the span of four years.”

Overall, they have a 3-3 record against each other but Mahomes has won both previous play-off games, in 2021 and 2022.With Kansas City and Buffalo still among the best teams in the AFC Conference, they are set to keep colliding on the road to the Super Bowl, just like legendary quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning did between 2001 and 2016.

Brady had an 11-6 record, although Manning was 3-2 in the play-offs. Between them, they won nine Super Bowls and were named the season’s Most Valuable Player eight times.

“I grew up watching those games and remember how many memories I have from that,” said Mahomes this week. “Hopefully we can play in these great games as well and give memories to the kids that come up behind us. I’m excited for the challenge.”

Mahomes has the lead on Allen when it comes to major honours. The 28-year-old has two Super Bowl wins and two MVPs, while Allen has yet to win either. Last season, Mahomes became the first player since 1999 to win the season MVP, the Super Bowl and the Super Bowl MVP in the same season.

The pair have become friends, admitting this week that they play golf together in the off-season, but Allen, 27, knows the Bills must beat the Chiefs in the play-offs for it to become a true rivalry.

“They’ve been at the top of the mountain, they know what it takes to get there – we’ve yet to do that,” he said. “As a competitor, as a player, to be in a situation like this is something that you dream about