KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes is 2-0 in games against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens as the teams prepare to meet for a third consecutive season Monday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
“We look forward to the challenge is what we do — all of us in this business," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "That’s why we’re in it. We respect them. We know they’re a good football team."
Some call it best game on the NFL schedule. Some call it an AFC Championship Game preview. For many, it's the most anticipated game of the season.
Both teams are undefeated, Mahomes and Jackson are the NFL's last two MVPs, and the looming Monday Night Football matchup will mark the first time two former MVPs age 25 or younger have squared off in NFL history
But Jackson downplayed the showdown with Mahomes on Thursday.
"I don't have to focus on Mahomes," he said. "I've got to focus on their defense. I've got focus on scoring. I've got to focus on my job and making my offense do our thing."
Mahomes also said he's focused on putting points on the board Monday, especially knowing what Jackson and the Ravens offense can do with the ball.
"He can make all the throws, he can run with the ball, he can really do it all, and so it's always fun to watch guys like that that work hard, put in the work, and they're able to go out there and have success on the field," Mahomes said.
Mahomes, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, led the Chiefs to an overtime win Sunday at the Los Angeles Chargers, but he said he's looking to get off to a faster start at Baltimore.
“It's just all going to be all about execution," he said. "When you play a defense like this that does a lot of different things — very multiple, do a lot of different blitzes, a lot of different coverages — you have to make sure that you're ready to go and have answers for everything."
The past two meetings between Chiefs and Ravens have been one-score shootouts. Jackson was asked if he's expected more of the same Monday.
“I don’t know," he said. "I can’t tell the future. I wish I can."
