Lamar Jackson is preparing to play in the first AFC championship game of his career as his Ravens prepare to face Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs on Sunday.
The Ravens quarterback hopes to fight for the right to reach the Super Bowl. But playing against Mahomes? That’s something he doesn’t expect so much.
Jackson was asked what he likes about playing against Mahomes before their matchup. Jackson was completely honest with his response.
“I don’t like competing against him at all,” Jackson told reporters, laughing.
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That response doesn’t indicate that Jackson is afraid of playing Mahomes. Rather, it’s a sign of Jackson’s respect for Mahomes’ play, which Jackson praised widely after his initial comment.
“He’s a great quarterback,” Jackson said of Mahomes. “He’s definitely a Hall of Famer; he’s a no-brainer, he’s definitely a Hall of Famer.”
Patrick Mahomes vs. Lamar Jackson Stats
It’s hard to argue against Jackson’s point of view, even at this early stage in Mahomes’ career. The Chiefs star has already won two Super Bowls and two MVPs in his six years as a starting quarterback, and Kansas City has reached at least the AFC championship game in his six seasons as a starter.
Mahomes may only be 28 years old, but those accolades combined with his statistical performance (two seasons with more than 5,000 passing yards, two seasons leading the league in passing touchdowns and a 50-touchdown season) already give him a resume that stands out. Compares well with many of the all-time greats.
@thesportingnews Lamar Jackson with high praise for Patrick Mahomes ? #lamarjackson #patrickmahomes #TheBaltimoreRavens #kansascitychiefs #nfl #nffutbol #nflplayoffs ♬ original sound – The Jugo Mobile
While Jackson doesn’t have the same type of consistent postseason success that Mahomes has enjoyed, the Ravens starter looks like a shoo-in to win his second MVP in his first six seasons as an NFL starter. He has a 58-19 record as a starter and has established himself as one of the most dynamic and game-changing quarterbacks in the NFL.
So, it’s easy to understand why Jackson is confident heading into his matchup against Mahomes.
“I think it’s just two big, big up-and-comers going head to head,” the Ravens quarterback said. “Like a heavyweight fight, a heavyweight showdown.”
Mahomes has a 3-1 lead in the head-to-head series so far, but Jackson won the most recent meeting between the two in 2021.
Mahomes hopes to get some revenge for his latest loss, but he knows it won’t be easy to achieve.
“I have admired seeing [Jackson] from afar and I know it’s going to be a big challenge to face it,” Mahomes told reporters.
