It’s Raiders Week.
That means you’ll see highlights on social media in the coming days of big hits and great touchdowns from the 65-year rivalry between the Chiefs and Raiders. The animosity between the franchises is not at the level it once was, but there is no love lost between the teams.
Today’s Chiefs-Raiders rivalry is best encapsulated by the battles KC quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Las Vegas defensive lineman Maxx Crosby have had since 2019. The Netflix docuseries “Quarterback” included a fascinating on-field look at Crosby and Mahomes going at one another.
Crosby, the four-time Pro Bowler, talked about Mahomes this week on his SiriusXM show, “Let’s Go!” with Jim Gray and Peter King. Earlier this year, Mahomes said Crosby is the best pass rusher he’s ever faced, and Crosby appreciated that.
“The only thing I could say is ultimate respect. I know greatness when I see it, and I’ve been around a lot of greats,” Crosby said of Mahomes. “I’ve been around some of the best athletes and players to ever play the game, and I know he’s that. And every time I get to go out there, just the energy is different. I don’t know how to exactly explain it, but it’s been like that for a long time now. And so he knows what type of time I’m on, and I know what type of time he’s on.
“He’s out there doing everything he can to help his team win, and I’m doing the same thing. So when you have two guys that are — I don’t wanna make it about just me and him, obviously our teams have a lot of history going against each other as well — but every time me and Pat meet up, we’re both on that type of time from start to finish. It’s ultimate respect before the game, after the game. But between those lines it’s war and I love it, look forward to it every single time. He is a guy, like I said, I respect so much. And like you said, when you’re going against the greatest, and I look at myself as one of the greatest in the game, you just bring the best out of each other.”
Previewing Sunday’s game
The last time the Raiders were at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, they fumbled a snap and lost 19-17 to the Chiefs in November. In the first meeting last season in Las Vegas, the Chiefs won 27-20.
Crosby expects another close game this Sunday when the teams play at noon on Sunday.
“Yeah, when you’re playing those division games, you know they hold a little bit more weight,” Crosby said. “You know each other very well ‘cause you see each other more than any other team. So it’s really about who’s gonna execute better and who’s gonna be focused as a unit at a higher level for a longer time. So every time you go out there against a Pat Mahomes and Andy Reid, you really have to just be on your P’s and Q’s from start to finish. Everything matters, every detail matters. And we know how much this game means.”