Patrick Mahomes and Maxx Crosby have been on opposite sides of the AFC West since 2019, giving them plenty of chances to go up against each other. While Mahomes has had the upper hand in those matchups, there is no shortage of respect between the two.

Mahomes is 13-2 as a starter against the Raiders, throwing 36 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

“He's one of the best competitors in the league,” Mahomes told reporters Wednesday. “That's where the respect comes from, we have that mutual 'want to be the best on the field when we're out there'. You go against those guys, it brings out the best in you.”

Crosby, meanwhile, has six sacks in 13 career games against the Chiefs. Kansas City has also won the AFC West in every season since Crosby entered the league except one and has added three Super Bowl titles during that stretch.

“There's a ton of respect for how he plays the game of football, how he competes and the man he is,” Mahomes told reporters Wednesday, according to a Sleeper Chiefs X post.

Crosby knows the challenge that comes with facing Kansas City. “When you are playing a divisional opponent, you have to be at your absolute best,” he said. “We know what type of challenge they bring to the table.”

This time, the Raiders arrive at 3-0, with their defense yet to allow a fourth-quarter point. Crosby has 1.5 sacks and 17 pressures, while Malcolm Koonce and Kwity Paye have combined for 20 pressures.

With the Raiders getting more help around Crosby, Sunday’s matchup gives this long-running rivalry another chance to play out.

The rivalry between Mahomes and Crosby goes back to 2019, with years of battles adding to their mutual respect.

What’s behind the latest chapter of the Mahomes-Crosby rivalry?

Patrick Mahomes and Maxx Crosby have another chapter to add to their long-running AFC West battle, but this time there is a little more behind it. Both players had eventful offseasons before returning to the division.

Crosby briefly looked set to leave Las Vegas for Baltimore in March before the Ravens backed out of the trade. Mahomes, meanwhile, was working his way back from the ACL injury that ended his 2025 season.

“He actually texted me right when I got cleared to play and just kind of said, ‘Hey, we're both back.’ And for me, I was just kind of like, ‘Let's show the world who we are,’” Mahomes said, according to NFL.com.

Both teams have opened the season 3-0, setting up a rare early-season meeting with the division race already carrying extra attention. Mahomes knows Las Vegas will not be the same challenge as previous seasons.

Mahomes also pointed to what makes these matchups special. “You want the great competitors, the great players in this league because it makes the league better,” he said.

“They're playing great football,” Mahomes said. “That 3-0 record's real.”

Now, one team will leave Sunday with its perfect start intact, while the other will have to regroup.

Written by

Debanjali Rakshit