Kansas City Chiefs: 3 things to watch vs Ravens in Week 3
By Kole Berrey
1. Lamar Jackson vs Patrick Mahomes
This one goes without saying, but come on folks. How can you not talk about this match-up? These are almost un-arguably the most exciting young quarterbacks in football. It is also the first game between two former MVP’s who are 25 or younger in the history of the league.
Both have set the world on fire, and each week they deliver jaw dropping highlights. Lamar Jackson is a show stopping running threat with a beautiful deep ball and a knack for snatching ankles (just ask Alex Okafor.)
Patrick Mahomes makes mesmerizing throws and dazzling plays every week, and somehow makes them routine. Just on the field, this game is set to deliver highlight on top of highlight. Past that, the narratives of this game have a chance to be season long.
If Mahomes marches into Baltimore and leads to the Chiefs to a win, you will hear the whispers of “Can Jackson beat Mahomes?” or “Can the Ravens win big games when they matter?”
Jackson in his career is 0-2 versus Mahomes, and falling to 0-3 will give the media and football world as a whole to pile on the young quarterback and cast doubt over the Ravens chances of being Super Bowl contenders. This will also go the other way for the Chiefs, because a win on the road against that opponent will be an eye opener for the rest of the league.
On the flip side, if the Ravens win this game, expect the media to EXPLODE with bold proclamations of the Ravens going 16-0 and steamrolling the NFL on the way to the Super Bowl. Beating a Chiefs team fresh off of a Super Bowl win would also do wonders for the teams confidence, and could be just what they need to go on a tear through most teams in their path.
Not to mention this game has major AFC implications. With only one first round bye in the playoffs, a head to head win against the other probably top seed in the conference would be huge for either team. Expect Mahomes and Jackson to feel the energy surrounding this game and deliver on the biggest stage the regular season can offer.