NFL analysis frequently focuses on quarterback matchups — ironically, players who never actually share the field during a game.
One of the best current rivalries between a quarterback and a defender set on thwarting him will reignite Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs travel to face the Las Vegas Raiders.
For the 14th time, starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes will face off against one of the league’s best pass rushers, the Raiders’ Maxx Crosby. Crosby has six career sacks and is credited with 16 quarterback hits
when facing Kansas City.
Speaking before Wednesday’s practice, Mahomes left no doubt the respect he has for the man who will spend Sunday trying to bring him down.
“He’s one of the best competitors in the league,” observed Mahomes. “I think that’s where the respect comes from is that we kind of have that mutual want to be the best on the field when we’re out there. So, when you go against those guys, it brings out the best in you, but there’s a ton of respect for how he plays the game of football, how he competes, and the man that he is. For me, I just know when I step on that football field, I’m going to need my best because he’s going to bring his best, and I think that’s when you get the best games out there.”
Some may be surprised to see the Chiefs among the final five undefeated squads, but no one expected a 3-0 start for the Raiders, who held the first overall selection in April’s NFL Draft.
Mahomes believes the talent added around Crosby has aided the Las Vegas turnaround.
“They’ve brought in a lot of guys that are really good football players,” Mahomes noted, “and they’ve added young, talented guys in there as well. Obviously, it starts with Maxx and their defensive line and being able to protect and be able to run the ball and do stuff like that. But they have great players everywhere, and they fly to the football…We’ll have to execute at a high level, but it’ll be a great challenge for us, and we’re excited for it.”
The Raiders appeared to have traded Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens early last offseason. Ultimately, Baltimore pulled out of the trade citing injury concerns following Crosby’s physical. Mahomes is surprised any concerns would cause a team to pass on adding Crosby’s talent, but he expects the veteran to use the situation as motivation.
“He was going to be on the Ravens, so, either way, I would’ve saw him at some point,” Mahomes remarked. “It was a weird offseason. It was surprising to me just knowing who he is and the way he competes and they trade for him, and they end up not taking him and wanting to send him back. Because of the player that he is, I know he’ll use that as motivation. He’s coming off injury as well, and I know he’ll use that as motivation as well. So, it’s always great to have the great players in the league and get up to go up against them and compete. So, I’m excited for it.”
As both players advance in their NFL careers, Mahomes sees something special in the familiarity with Crosby.
“It’s almost like whenever you’re young, and you’re competing with one of your friends,” he explained. “You want to win because you kind of have those bragging rights. You kind of go into the offseason, and if you see the guy, you can kind of give him a little something here and there. It’s something about that. It’s just what the pure football is, is having the best competitors compete against each other and that’s what I think you really get whenever you go out there and it’s Raiders versus Chiefs.”
