In an AFC that is loaded with elite quarterbacks, there is still one top dog: Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes.
Not many arguments there.
When you try to rank the next three is where you run into controversy.
Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson, Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen and Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow all have cases for their greatness in the Mahomes era.
Jackson has won two MVPs. Allen just won his first in 2024. Burrow has none, but he does have a Super Bowl appearance after beating Mahomes in the AFC title game.
On ESPN's First Take, former Dallas Cowboys journeyman Chris Canty sounded off on the QB conversation, specifically comparing Allen and Burrow.
Canty had a "clear and obvious" answer to who is under more pressure to win a championship.
"Oh, it's Josh Allen." Canty said. "In order to win a Super Bowl, you have to be in a Super Bowl, and at least Joe Burrow can say he's done that, getting through Patrick Mahomes on his way to losing in the Super Bowl to the LA Rams, albeit three seasons ago."
Related: Bills' Josh Allen Contract Confuses TV Analyst
That mention of "three seasons" ago doesn't sound too confident in backing up Canty's claim.
He should've also mentioned that in that time since, Burrow's Bengals have lost to Mahomes then missed the playoffs the last two seasons.
Allen's Bills on the other hand have gone 37-13 in that span with three straight AFC East titles.
But yes, a slight edge to Burrow here for his one playoff win if you want to compare their head-to-head matchups with Mahomes.
This argument is about rings, still something neither Burrow nor Allen has.
Related: Bengals vs. Burrow Rumors Could Create 'All-In' Problem
Therefore, they are both under pressure, and if Burrow was so much closer, wouldn't he now be under more pressure since his team's been on an immediate downfall?
Where Allen's pressure comes into play is against his one kryptonite. The MVP is winless against Mahomes, losing to the Chiefs in four of the last five postseasons.
That one other loss, ironically, was to Burrow in the 2022 Divisional round.
He and his team may perform better in the regular season, but nothing is hiding how Allen can't get it done when the lights are brightest.
Burrow is also 1-0 against Allen in the regular season despite both of their franchises' polar opposite seasons in recent seasons.
Another case that defends Canty's stance of who is better in the clutch.
Related: Cowboys Ex Amari Is Done With New Signing by Bills
Canty spent his first four NFL seasons with the Cowboys from 2005-08 where his team didn't meet many championship expectations either...
While both are still elite-level playmakers, the ESPN analyst's take will have our eyes on whether Allen or Burrow can stand up to their respective criticisms in 2025.
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 1:40 PM.