Ravens' Roquan Smith On Stopping Patrick Mahomes: 'We're Going To Get It Done'
To be the champs, you've got to beat the champs is a moniker commonly quoted in sports.
For the Baltimore Ravens, they'll get their chance to dethrone the champs when they face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. The matchup that catches the eye is the Ravens' defense vs. the Kansas City Chiefs' offense and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
While the task of stopping Mahomes is one of the toughest for opposing defenses, linebacker Roquan Smith is ready for the challenge.
Roquan Smith.
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"We're going to get it done," Smith said. "That's the message. It's not about, 'Oh, this.' He puts his pants on just like any other quarterback. Yes, he's an elite quarterback, but at the end of the day, we're an elite defense, and that's our job – to stop the opposing offense. That's our job, play in and play out, and that's what we've got to do."
The Ravens allowed the fewest points per game in the regular season (16.5), led the league in sacks (60) and were tied for No. 1 in turnovers (31). They put together another dominant outing in the AFC Divisional Round, pitching a shutout in the second half of their 34-10 win over the Houston Texans.
Smith has been a key cog for the best defense in football. He led the team with 158 tackles and had five tackles for loss, five quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks. Smith's leadership drew high praise from quarterback Lamar Jackson, comparing him to one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history.
"He brought the Ray Lewis juice back for our generation," Jackson said. "The leadership, his poise, his aggression, we needed that from our linebacker – from both of them, him and Patrick [Queen]. They are doing a wonderful job. But 'Ro' [Roquan Smith], he's just unbelievable. We needed that, and I'm glad we got him."
While the Ravens have found a way to reach another level against some of the NFL's elite in the regular season, the Chiefs and Mahomes boast a different challenge with their Super Bowl experience, and they're rounding into form at the right time.
Kansas City's offense rolled in a 27-24 win on the road over the Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs offense only had 47 played, three of which were kneel downs, but got 21 first downs. Mahomes completed 17 of 23 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns.
Tight end Travis Kelce had five catches for 75 yards and caught each of Mahomes' touchdowns. Isaiah Pacheco also had a strong day on the ground, running the ball 15 times for 97 yards and a touchdown.
With one of the greatest quarterbacks in recent memory and a team on the verge of a dynasty going against the best defense in football on their home turf, rarely do matchups get better than when the Ravens and Chiefs collide for a Super Bowl berth.
"Someone is trying to come in and take something from you that you worked your entire life for, and if you need any more added substance to that, then what are you playing the game for, in my opinion?" Smith said. "So, it's about mono e mono, this man across from me, what are you going to do to make sure we advance? That's what I think it boils down to at the end of the day. And if you need any more hype or anything like that, like I said, you're playing for the wrong reason."
The Ravens host the Chiefs on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium at 3 p.m. ET.
