Patrick Mahomes and Maxx Crosby have built one of the NFL’s most respected rivalries, and the Chiefs quarterback says that dynamic is exactly what makes Sundays between Kansas City and Las Vegas feel different.
The two AFC West standouts meet twice every season, but this one arrives with a sharper edge. The Raiders, who owned the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft just a few months ago, are now tied with the Chiefs atop the division at 3-0.
They’ve handled the Miami Dolphins, beaten the L.A. Chargers, and rallied past the New Orleans Saints in Week 3, giving Sunday’s game at Allegiant Stadium a bigger feel than usual.
Mahomes spoke about Crosby during his weekly media session on Wednesday, and he made it clear the respect between them comes from the way Crosby plays.
"He's one of the best competitors in the league," said Mahomes. "I mean, that's where the respect comes from.
We have that mutual want to be the best on the field when we're out there. When you go against those guys, it brings out the best in you.
There's a ton of respect for how he plays the game of football, how he competes, and the man that he is.
"For me, I just know when I step on that football field, I'm going to need my best because he's going to bring his best, and I think that's when you get the best games out there," he continued.
Mahomes also sees a Raiders team that looks very different from the one Kansas City has been used to seeing. Las Vegas has already matched its win total from a year ago, and while the franchise hasn’t won the AFC West since Rich Gannon was the quarterback nearly a quarter-century ago, first-year head coach Klint Kubiak has the Raiders moving in a better direction.
"They've brought in a lot of guys that are really good football players, and they've added young, talented guys in there as well ... They have great players everywhere.
They fly to the football, and they turn the football over, which is huge in this league. We'll have to match their intensity and execute at a high level, but it'll be a great challenge for us, and we're excited about it."
Crosby, meanwhile, is making sure his own locker room understands what’s coming. After the Week 3 win over the Saints, he was already looking ahead to Kansas City’s visit and delivered a blunt message to his teammates.
"...it's a great win, but we've got a f***ing great team coming into town. We already know what it is, bro.
It's the f***ing Kansas City Chiefs. Enjoy this tonight.
Take care of your bodies, and we're on a warpath to get what we want," said Crosby in Week 3.
Even with a 2-11 all-time record against Kansas City, Crosby has still made his presence felt in the matchup, posting 6 sacks and 16 quarterback hits in those 13 games. Mahomes has controlled the rivalry on the other side, going 13-2 against the Raiders with 36 touchdowns, 5 interceptions and a passer rating of 107.7.
That’s part of what makes Sunday such a compelling Week 4 meeting. Both teams have reasons to feel like they’re chasing something bigger, and both stars know the other will demand top form. In a rivalry already built on mutual respect, Mahomes and Crosby are once again set to push each other toward the highest level.
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