NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nearly 3,000 miles apart, two young, ascending quarterbacks saw their Christmas Eves ruined in the same way in 2016. Fast-forward to Sunday, which will be the fourth round of Marcus Mariota versus Derek Carr, with their much-anticipated returns a new storyline for the battle between the Tennessee Titans and visiting Oakland Raiders.

Mariota and Carr didn't trade recovery tips as they each attacked rehabbing a broken leg this offseason, but they do share a strong admiration for one another.

Marcus Mariota, right, scored a victory over Derek Carr, left, during the QBs' college days, but Carr has led the Raiders to wins in both NFL regular-season matchups. Cary Edmondson/USA TODAY Sports

"I've always followed his career, and I've always been a fan of his," Carr said in a conference call with reporters Wednesday. "I was definitely praying for him and wishing him well. Even throughout the recovery process, I was always thinking about it."

Carr and Mariota speak of the completion of their injury journey like an exhausted law student discusses passing a bar exam. Carr described rehab as "every day felt like a week." It strengthened their resolves. But Sunday's game will be just as much about their injury past as their potential-laden futures.

Expectations for the Titans and Raiders haven't been higher this decade. Mariota and Carr, both ascending as drastically as their teams, find themselves either inside or on the cusp of most top-10 quarterback lists. With Peyton Manning retired and Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers nearing the end of their careers, Mariota versus Carr is setting up to be the AFC’s next great rivalry.

Don't expect anything less than pleasantries no matter how many times these two square off. Humility, faith and a genuine kindness exude from Mariota and Carr in ways different from most NFL quarterbacks. Each also has a laid-back West Coast personality that contrasts with their exciting playing styles.

"He's a great player and I think it showed last season," said Mariota, who's embarking on his third NFL campaign. "I've gotten to know him a little bit. Guy is a great competitor. Makes all the throws, makes it look easy. I think he's one of the better throwers in our league."

Mariota is one behind Carr in NFL experience and playoff appearances. It was Year 3 when Carr made his biggest NFL jump, trimming his interception total from 13 in 2015 to six in 2016. More important, he lifted the Raiders from 7-9 to 12-3 in his 15 starts.

Carr envisions Mariota, who made a leap of his own in Year 2, reaching an even higher level in 2017, although he joked he hopes Mariota waits a week to start.

"He's a dynamic player, I think that he's very accurate and I think that he's a great decision-maker," Carr said. "If you're a GM and you were going to pick a quarterback, those are the kind of traits that you want. Tennessee has a good quarterback for the next however many years that he wants to play."

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It will be Carr's five-year, $125 million extension that Mariota's agents use as a benchmark next offseason, once the former Oregon quarterback is due an extension.

Even Carr acknowledges that the similarities between the two are apparent. Soon, they'll be chasing prizes only one can own each season: MVPs, AFC titles, Super Bowl rings.

Carr has the early edge on Mariota, but let the record show that Mariota took Round 1 of this budding rivalry in September 2012, when his Ducks beat Carr's Fresno State Bulldogs 42-25. Carr won their two NFL battles in 2015 and 2016, in Nashville. Sunday marks Round 4, with plenty more likely in store.