Caleb Harris
The Kansas City Chiefs will host the Baltimore Ravens in 2024 NFL Kickoff Game, one of the most anticipated season openers in recent years. Patrick Mahomes will face Lamar Jackson in a clash between the current Super Bowl Current league MVP and MVP – one of the best quarterback duels in the game.
Although Mahomes and Jackson are arguably the two best quarterbacks in the league, the head-to-head matchup has been in the Chiefs’ favor since the two stars first faced off in 2018. Mahomes and the Chiefs have gotten the better of Jackson and the Ravens in all five meetings previous games, the latest being the Chiefs defeating the Ravens, 17-10, in the 2024 AFC Championship Game.
Mahomes also got the better of Jackson in head-to-head quarterback matchups, evidenced by their stats when they face off:
Patrick Mahomes x Lamar Jackson (head-to-head)
| Victories |
4 |
1 |
| Percentage of completion |
73% |
56% |
| Passing yards per game |
344.0 |
203.4 |
| TD-INT |
13-2 |
5-3 |
Here’s a look back at each of the five previous meetings between Mahomes and Jackson:
December 9, 2018: Chiefs 27, Ravens 24 (OT)
Mahomes led the Chiefs’ comeback in the fourth quarter of his first MVP season, also the season in which Jackson took over the starting quarterback job from Joe Flacco in November (his rookie campaign). He threw a game-tying touchdown pass to Damien Williams with 57 seconds left to force overtime.
Harrison Butker — who missed a game-winning field goal in regulation — hit a 35-yard shot in overtime on the Chiefs’ first possession. Jackson was injured on the Ravens’ tying possession as Robert Griffin III had to finish the game.
Mahomes was 35 of 53 for 377 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception (91.5 rating). Jackson finished 13 of 24 for 147 yards with 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions (100.5 rating), also rushing 14 times for 67 yards.
September 22, 2019: Chiefs 33, Ravens 28
The Chiefs built a 20-3 lead in the first half and held the 17-point lead into the fourth quarter. Thanks to Jackson, the Ravens made the game closer than it actually was. Jackson was 22 of 43 for 267 yards (70.6 rating), but had some highlight plays in the final quarter (he also rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown).
Mahomes looked like the reigning MVP, finishing 27 of 37 for 374 yards and 3 touchdowns (132.0 rating).
September 28, 2020: Chiefs 34, Ravens 20
Mahomes had another standout game against the Ravens’ defense, going 31 of 43 for 385 yards with 4 touchdowns (133.5 rating), while also rushing for 26 yards and a touchdown. The Ravens scored just one offensive touchdown the entire game, with Jackson going 15 of 28 for 97 yards and a touchdown (73.1 rating), also rushing for 83 yards.
The Chiefs led 27-10 at halftime in this one. The Ravens cut the lead to 27-20 in the fourth quarter, but Mahomes responded on the assured drive with a touchdown pass to defensive lineman Eric Fisher that sealed the victory.
September 19, 2021: Ravens 36, Chiefs 35
Jackson finally had his signature moment against the Chiefs, leading the Ravens from a 35-24 fourth-quarter deficit to get the victory. His 2 rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter sparked the Ravens’ comeback, a game full of big touchdown throws between the quarterbacks and a defensive comeback score from each team.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s fumble at the Ravens’ 32-yard line with 1:24 remaining took away Mahomes’ comeback attempt on a night in which he was 24 of 31 for 343 yards with 3 touchdowns and an interception (rating 131.5). Jackson finished 18 of 26 for 239 yards with a touchdown and 2 interceptions (78.8 rating), while also rushing for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns.
January 28, 2024: Chiefs 17, Ravens 10
The 2024 AFC Championship Game was Mahomes’ signature playoff moment on the road, going 30 of 39 for 241 yards and a touchdown (100.5 rating). This included a near-perfect first half, with Kansas City building a 17-7 lead before halftime.
The defense stole the show in this game, holding Jackson and the Ravens’ offense to just three points in the second half. Zay Flowers fumbled in the end zone and Jackson intercepted Deon Bush in the end zone to take points off the scoreboard twice in the second half.
Jackson finished 20 of 37 for 272 yards with one touchdown and one interception (75.5 rating) while also rushing for 54 yards. He also lost a fumble and was sacked 4 times.
