KANSAS CITY, Missouri − Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield are no strangers to each other as competitors. The two met as recently as 2018, when the Kansas City Chiefs and Mahomes took down the Browns and a rookie Baker Mayfield 37-21.
The star quarterbacks will be the matchup’s focus this Sunday, January 17, as the Kansas City Chiefs (14-2) host the Cleveland Browns (11-5) in the NFL Playoffs Divisional Round.
One of the main questions coming into the game is surrounding the Chiefs and how prepared they will be for this matchup. Being the overwhelming favorite all year, Kansas City hasn’t been pressured in a while to perform. They haven’t won by double-digits since week 8 and have allowed less talented teams, such as Atlanta and Miami, to stick with them in close games.
Mahomes vs. Mayfield bound to provide fireworks
When these two quarterbacks met in the Big 12, they provided one of the most memorable offensive showings in college football history. The 2016 game between Oklahoma and Texas Tech saw the two teams combine for 125 points and break the NCAA record for total offensive yards combined with 1,708.
Mahomes threw for 734 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Mayfield finished with 545 yards and 7 touchdowns in a 66-59 win for Oklahoma.
Now, both in the NFL, the two are the leaders of their respective franchises and will meet for a critical postseason battle.
Mahomes certainly performed better statistically in the regular season. He followed his MVP- winning season from last year with another statistically dominant season, finishing with 4740 passing yards (second in the NFL) and 40 passing touchdowns (fourth in the NFL).
Mayfield is coming off an impressive showing in the Browns 48-37 win over the Steelers. He finished with 263 passing yards and 3 touchdowns as the Browns advanced to the Divisional Round with an impressive victory over their rivals from Pittsburgh.
Whichever quarterback gets into a rhythm early will be critical to how this game plays out. Mayfield got started early against Pittsburgh, and the Browns were able to gain a big lead and stay ahead. No lead is safe against Kansas City, so expect the Browns to continue working hard on offense down the stretch, even if they build a lead similar to the Pittsburgh game.
Hunt returns to KC
Kansas City drafted Kareem Hunt in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He immediately provided for them with his speed and athleticism, leading the league in rushing yards after his rookie year, and was selected to the Pro Bowl.
Following domestic abuse allegations, the Chiefs cut Hunt in November 2018, and he eventually signed with Cleveland. Sunday will be the first time playing against the team that drafted him.
Hunt is not treating this as a revenge game, however. His goal is playing good football and helping his team make it to the Super Bowl.
“They’re definitely going to be high,” said Hunt when asked about his emotions for Sunday’s game, “but I’m still going to keep my head level and just play football.”
GAME INFO
Kansas City vs. Cleveland, Sunday, January 17, 3:05 PM ET TV Channel: CBS
