Whatever It Takes to Win: Best 3 Matchups in Mahomes-Crosby

The perennial Pro Bowlers renew their rivalry for a 13th time Sujnday.

Feb 5, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) react during AFC practice at the Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Let this marinate in your prefrontal cortex: 98, 97, 95 and 96. Those are the percentages of Raiders defensive snaps Maxx Crosby has played each of the last four seasons, beginning with 2025.

In other words, the four-time Pro Bowler has been on the field for 98 percent of the Raiders’ snaps this season.

Dec 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) gets pressured by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

“Yeah, Maxx is a competitor,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday. “And he's 100 miles an hour every play. I'm sure he's that way in practice. He goes and goes.”

He’s went and went in 12 previous meetings against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. The perennial Pro Bowlers, both products of Texas high school footballs, have forged a fierce rivalry founded on respect.

Nov 29, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs prior go a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

And although the Chiefs largely neutralized Aidan Hutchinson and the Lions with an emergency starting left tackle last week, Crosby could be a stiffer challenge.

Crosby against the Chiefs has six career sacks, one batted pass, 14 tackles for loss and, most painfully felt by Mahomes – a not-so-sweet 16 quarterback hits.

Oct 27, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks to make a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

“He's the type of competitor,” Mahomes said Wednesday, “like me, it's like me on that football field; it's whatever it takes to win, and you're going to leave everything on the football field.”

While Mahomes has won 10 of the 12 meetings, the rivalry is as intense as it gets. The Raiders’ last three trips to Kansas City have featured some of the best games in the entire rivalry.

The last meeting

Nov. 29, 2024, Arrowhead Stadium: Crosby sacks Mahomes to halt a fourth-quarter drive with the Chiefs trailing, 17-16. But new Chiefs kicker Matthew Wright converts a 32-yard go-ahead field goal. Daniel Carlson misses a 58-yarder with five minutes left and Nick Bolton recovers a late fumble to seal Kansas City’s 19-17 win. Crosby helps the Raiders sack Mahomes five times, but he still passes for 306 yards.

Nov 29, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) greets Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) after the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Christmas Day upset

Dec. 25, 2023, Arrowhead Stadium: Crosby introduces himself to Mahomes on the game’s second play, throwing him for a 2-yard loss. The Raiders force a fumble on the next snap, setting the tone for a game that was never really as close as the 20-14 final indicates. The Chiefs choose to double-team Crosby most of the game, but that creates opportunities for Malcolm Koonce to register a career-best three sacks, one in each of the first three quarters.

Constant harassment limits Mahomes to 235 yards. He also throws an interception to Jack Jones and nearly throws another one late, but replay reverses the call. The Chiefs would not lose another game, reeling off six straight wins, including the overtime win over San Francisco in Super Bowl 58.

Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts after being sacked by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Monday night thriller

Oct. 10, 2022, Arrowhead Stadium. Crosby sacks Mahomes twice, both in the first half, and records another tackle for loss. But the quarterback mounts a commanding 13-play, 75-yard drive that consumes nearly seven fourth-quarter minutes. Mahomes (292 yards, four touchdowns) hits Travis Kelce on a 1-yard pass to give the Chiefs a 30-23 lead with 7:25 left. Derek Carr answers with a 48-yard touchdown to Davante Adams, but the Chiefs halt Josh Jacobs on the ensuing two-point attempt. Kansas City escapes with a 30-29 victory.

Oct 10, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) high-fives Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chad Henne (4) after the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff -Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

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