PITTSBURGH — Storylines abound in advance of another episode of the NFL's longest running hit series — Steelers-Ravens.

You have first place in the AFC North on the line, for starters, plus a couple of coaches who have been working their trade for a combined 35 years in the same cities. Steelers-Ravens is the NFL's best rivalry of the 21st Century, one steeped in hatred and respect, high stakes and pure, unadulterated violence.

As Mike Tomlin put it before the 2008 AFC championship game, "What else would you expect? Us and the Ravens. It would be a big game if it was a scrimmage. It just happens to be the AFC championship."

You also have several players who've traded black-and-gold for black-and-purple, and vice-versa. Tomlin brought up several Tuesday, even Chris Wormley and Jeremiah Moon, but curiously neglected to mention Diontae Johnson, a one-time prominent and sometimes problematic Steeler who will presumably suit up for the Ravens on Sunday.

Wrong Way Diontae and Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen provide the most plot juice among the jersey swappers. Tomlin jumped into that storyline Tuesday, perhaps unwittingly.

When a reporter asked Tomlin about preparing for Johnson, he said he hadn't thought much about it because Johnson hasn't played much and added, "They've got more significant pieces with larger roles that are occupying my attention at this part of the week."

Hmmm. Was that merely an innocent and accurate observation or a subtle shot? Either way, I wouldn't be surprised if the quote is already on the Ravens' board Wednesday when Johnson enters the facility (walking backward, of course).

But I didn't come here to discuss Johnson, or even Queen, who should be suitably amped. I'm here to talk about the greatest offensive player in the world and the greatest defensive player in the world because they're both playing in this game.

The mere presence of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt would make this a five-star matchup. Both are at the very height of their powers.

Jackson — "Mr. Jackson," as Tomlin calls him — is the Vegas favorite to win his third MVP Award, a feat accomplished by only six others. You might recognize the names: Peyton Manning (5), Aaron Rodgers (4), Tom Brady (3), Johnny Unitas (3), Brett Favre (3) and Jim Brown (3).

Mr. Watt is a heavy favorite to win his second Defensive Player of the Year Award, a feat accomplished by only eight others. You might recognize the names: Lawrence Taylor (3), J.J. Watt (3), Aaron Donald (3), Bruce Smith (2), Ray Lewis (2), Reggie White (2), Mike Singletary (2) and Joe Greene (2).

Two quick observations there:

— How did Reggie White only win two of these things?

— Mr. Watt could easily — maybe should easily — be going for an unprecedented fourth DOPY. Certainly, he should have won last year.

But it's not just greatness that Jackson and Watt share. They also bear the burden of never having reached a Super Bowl, let alone won one. Watt is still searching for his first playoff win.

Does that diminish either man's greatness?

Not from this vantage point, it doesn't. These arguments arise all the time with great players who've never won championships — Barry Sanders, Dan Marino, Charles Barkley, etc. — and I take the same angle on each: Winning titles indisputably enhances one's legacy, but failing to win one should not diminish it.

In other words, Marino might well win every "Greatest Quarterback of All-Time" argument if he'd won a Super Bowl or three, but he's still easily top 10 and perhaps top five all-time. The same could be said of Sanders among running backs.

Jackson has more impact on games than Watt because he plays the most impactful position, and that is why he absorbs so much criticism for playoff failures. And I'm sure he'd be the first to admit that he has fallen short in the biggest games of his career.

But he's still only 27, and, well ... have you seen him play? You can't take your eyes off him. It reminds me of Michael Jordan or the guy I stayed up until 1 a.m. Tuesday watching (and didn't regret it) — Steph Curry. Every time athletes like that touch the ball, a lifetime memory might ensue.

Jackson is basically Shohei Ohtani, back when Ohtani was pitching and hitting. Not only does he lead the NFL in passer rating by a full 15 points (the Nos. 2-10 quarterbacks are separated by just six), with 24 touchdown passes against two interceptions, but he's on pace to rush for 915 yards — which would be the seventh-most all-time by a quarterback. Jackson already holds spots No. 1, 4 and 9.

It's ridiculous, really, and the same could be said of Watt, who might be the NFL's most important non-quarterback. I could bore you with numbers. Suffice to say that the Steelers almost always lose when he doesn't play and usually win when he does.

Their paths collided on a memorable play in 2021, with the Ravens trying to win on a late two-point conversion. Jackson saw tight end Mark Andrews open in the flat but had to adjust to get the ball around Watt. It was slightly off target and fell incomplete.

"Watt was doing his thing," Jackson said. "That's what he does, just one-on-one and making things happen, I guess."

Luckily for us, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Watt will meet up again Sunday, doing their thing.

Super Bowls or not, few have done it better.

(c)2024 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.