Almost from wire to wire, the Baltimore Ravens were the NFL’s best team this year. They are the odds-on favorite to win Super Bowl 58, with Lamar Jackson the frontrunner for the big game’s MVP. But to capture their first championship in over a decade, they have to beat Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs in this Sunday’s AFC title game.
Gulp.
In a Wednesday Ravens’ press conference, Jackson was asked about what it’s like trying to beat Mahomes, especially in the postseason. The superstar didn’t give a straight answer. Before going into a tangent about appreciating a “heavyweight fight,” he joked that he doesn’t like competing against Mahomes at all! You can indeed respect an opponent and still hate playing them, folks.
Honestly, who could blame Jackson for wonderful candor?
"What is it about competing against Mahomes that you like?"
"I don't like competing against him at all." 😂😂 @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/odUZw3Jl6y
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 24, 2024
Reporter: What do you like about competing against Patrick Mahomes?
Lamar Jackson: "I don't like competing against him at all."🤣
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) January 24, 2024
Jackson’s Ravens are just 1-3 all-time against Mahomes’ Chiefs. But the last time the two teams met, the Ravens overcame the Chiefs in an instant classic. Not by coincidence, it happened in Baltimore. So, that at least bodes well for Baltimore’s chances in trying to knock off the defending Super Bowl champions.
One thing’s for sure: these two talisman quarterbacks will probably put on a show with a next-month trip to Las Vegas on the line.
NFL fans loved Jackson's joke about competing against Mahomes
Relatable. The league should trade the Chiefs to the NFC and let them have a crack at it imo. https://t.co/3aUf0WKdMA
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) January 24, 2024
This is great 😆 Respect https://t.co/KWbWuNcitC
— Brandon (@BrandonB36) January 24, 2024
Ahah facts.
– You can respect an opponent
– You cannot not be scared to compete against an opponentStill, You don’t have to like competing against someone though. lol https://t.co/YGo8hX4VrG
— Will Blackmon 🍷 (@WillBlackmon) January 24, 2024
Haha! Lamar is great. https://t.co/u7guxyzsr4
— Alex Gold (@AlexGold) January 24, 2024
This is actually the correct answer and what Mahomes, Lamar, Burrow & Allen actually think about each other. Lamar finally just said it 😂 https://t.co/Z66iQlgNv9
— Neal D (@neald_93) January 24, 2024
Lamar is great.
I obviously want my team to win but if they’re going to miss a trip to the Super Bowl against anyone, it should be these guys. https://t.co/5804v6dNrc
— Spivey 🐶🏀🏃♂️ (@DSMDad515) January 24, 2024
Is there a way for the Ravens and Chiefs to both lose and only Lamar to win this weekend https://t.co/wqw61zcpcC
— shalmoli (@shalmoli) January 24, 2024
I'm pretty sure that every QB would say that lmao https://t.co/hGZrXRz8ms
— Cannon Crunch (@devinsang03) January 24, 2024
Honest answer https://t.co/fRE9VMEw8E
— Andrew (@AndrewRSpru) January 24, 2024