Lamar Jackson wants to take down Patrick Mahomes and the ghosts of Arrowhead

Lamar Jackson is done with slow starts. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback delivered a clear message to his squad before facing Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday: “We need to lock in. We’ve started slow in every game, even in the win against Cleveland. We have to play our brand of football—Raven football—self-evaluate and be ready for Sunday.”

That line from Lamar Jackson isn’t just a pep talk. It’s a warning. Both Baltimore and Kansas City enter Week 4 with matching 1–3 records, but they’re heading in opposite directions. The Ravens are averaging 37 points per game, while the Chiefs are barely hitting 20. And although both teams are used to being contenders in the AFC, this time the margin for error is razor-thin. A loss could push either franchise to the edge of playoff irrelevance.

Symbolic weight

There’s more to this than just standings. Lamar Jackson has never won at Arrowhead Stadium. While he insists his motivation doesn’t hinge on the opponent or the venue, facing Mahomes carries symbolic weight. Since Patrick Mahomes entered the league, he’s been the face of the conference. But after a crushing loss in Super Bowl LIX to the Eagles and a shaky start to the season, that aura of invincibility is fading.

Lamar Jackson on Baltimore’s 1-2 start: “We gotta lock in. We’ve got to play Ravens football. We’ve got to tighten up. It’s a long season ahead of us, but we’ve just got to lock in.” pic.twitter.com/ZmD6HvhZBE

— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) September 24, 2025

According to TheSportsRush, Las Vegas is favoring Lamar Jackson for the first time in a head-to-head matchup against Mahomes. The Ravens are 2.5-point favorites—something unheard of since the Kansas City quarterback took over the reins. And while Patrick Mahomes still has the ability to flip a game with a single play, his offense looks out of sync, relying heavily on Travis Kelce and lacking a receiving corps that truly threatens defenses.

Tactical battle and statement game

This isn’t just a tactical showdown. It’s a statement game. Lamar Jackson wants to prove he can lead Baltimore in high-stakes moments. On the other side, Patrick Mahomes needs to reclaim the automatic respect he once commanded. Their duel won’t just shape the narrative of the week—it could be the turning point of the season for two franchises unaccustomed to looking up from the bottom of the standings.

One thing’s certain: Lamar Jackson isn’t flying back with a 1–4 record in his pocket. This Sunday, Raven football needs to roar. AndMahomes, for the first time in a long while, will have to answer from the trenches.