Patrick Mahomes Lauds Ravens' Lamar Jackson During Super Bowl Prep
It's not the way Baltimore Ravens fans were hoping it'd go down, but Lamar Jackson does appear to have some sort of impact on Super Bowl LVIII.
Future participant Patrick Mahomes can't get Jackson's illustrious season off his mind as he and his Kansas City Chiefs prepare for Sunday's championship battle with the San Francisco 49ers. Though Mahomes and the Chiefs neutralized the Ravens' offense well enough in the AFC title game, the quarterback isn't looking forward to his next get-together with Jackson, conceding the next MVP award to Baltimore's primary thrower.
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"He continues to get better," Mahomes said, per A to Z Sports. "He’s a competitor, and he wants to win. All you want to do in this league is get better, year in and year out, and you’ve seen that from Lamar."
Jackson, previously earning the MVP honor in 2019, is the favorite for this year's title when the NFL Honors are bestowed on Thursday night. Mahomes is impressed with the way Jackson has only seemed to have gotten better in the ensuing four years, apparently far from satisfied with only one MVP trophy on his mantle.
"It’s hard when you win the MVP that first season (as a starter), then strive to get better and he’s done that," Jackson said. "That’s probably why he will win the MVP."
If Kansas City is indeed destined to continue its de facto dynasty (Sunday will mark their fourth Super Bowl appearance in the last five seasons), Jackson and the Ravens appear to be one of their most formidable obstacles. Alas for Baltimore, the aerial rivalry resembles the early struggles of Peyton Manning against Tom Brady. Following the 17-10 defeat in the AFC title game, Jackson has just one win in five meetings against his Chiefs. All but one of five showdowns have been decided by one possession.
Barring injury, Jackson and Mahomes are slated to do battle at Arrowhead Stadium next season.
