Maxx Crosby turns focus to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs

October 1, 2026 · by SPW Pipeline

Ringo Chiu/Shutterstock.com 2533640589

Maxx Crosby has Patrick Mahomes in his sights as the Las Vegas Raiders prepare for their first AFC West showdown of 2026. Las Vegas is 3-0 after erasing an 11-point deficit against New Orleans in Week 3. Kansas City is also 3-0 after beating Miami 24-10, creating an unbeaten meeting in Las Vegas.

Crosby’s postgame focus quickly shifted from the Saints to the Chiefs. Crosby and Mahomes have built one of the NFL’s most recognizable individual rivalries. Their next meeting is on October 4 at Allegiant Stadium. Both teams enter tied atop the AFC West after strong starts.

Crosby made Kansas City the next target

Crosby’s reaction after the Saints’ victory captured the mindset around a Raiders team that has not lost through three weeks. Reports from the postgame celebration described him turning the team’s attention toward Kansas City almost immediately, with a blunt message about the Chiefs being next.

That urgency fits Crosby’s approach to the AFC West rivalry. He has repeatedly spoken about facing Mahomes while making clear that the quarterback commands respect, creating a relationship built around intense competition.

The timing matters because Las Vegas had just rallied from 27-16 down in New Orleans. The Raiders scored 19 unanswered points, while Crosby recovered a strip-sack fumble during a fourth-quarter surge that produced four takeaways.

Las Vegas has built momentum

The Raiders have opened the season with three victories under first-year head coach Klint Kubiak. They beat Miami 27-13, defeated the Chargers 26-14 and then rallied past New Orleans 35-27, becoming 3-0 for the first time since 2021.

The defense has been central to that start. Las Vegas has forced multiple turnovers in each of its first three games, producing nine takeaways while allowing no fourth-quarter points through Week 3.

Crosby has contributed 1.5 sacks, five tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery through three games. His recovery against New Orleans came after Malcolm Koonce stripped Saints quarterback Tyler Shough and helped launch a scoring drive.

Mahomes arrives at 3-0

Kansas City has matched Las Vegas at 3-0, creating a division matchup with immediate significance. The Chiefs opened by beating Denver 31-10, edged Indianapolis 33-30 and then handled Miami 24-10.

Source: Image Press Agency/Depositphotos

Mahomes completed 20 of 24 passes for 246 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against Miami. He has also moved beyond the offseason questions surrounding his recovery from surgery on a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee.

Mahomes had said he wanted to be ready for Week 1, and Kansas City ultimately opened with him under center. By Week 4, the conversation has shifted from his availability to how his offense handles a Raiders defense that has consistently created turnovers.

Crosby and Mahomes have history

The Crosby-Mahomes rivalry has produced some of the most recognizable individual moments in the AFC West. ESPN previously detailed their on-field friction, including a 2022 meeting when Crosby’s aggressive play became a source of frustration for Mahomes.

Crosby has also acknowledged the respect behind the rivalry. In comments reported by ESPN, he described Mahomes as one of football’s best players and explained that competing against elite opponents brings out another level of intensity.

ESPN reported in 2023 that Kansas City had won seven of eight meetings against the Raiders since Crosby entered the league. Crosby had still produced several sacks and quarterback hits against Mahomes, making their individual battle a recurring subplot.

Fun fact: Maxx Crosby was a fourth-round pick in 2019, but his rookie season included four sacks in one game, making him only the fourth rookie in NFL history to reach that mark at the time.

The Raiders have more around Crosby

Las Vegas’ early success has not rested on Crosby alone. Kirk Cousins has provided veteran stability at quarterback, while Brock Bowers returned in Week 3 and delivered 10 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown against New Orleans.

Bowers’ return added another dimension to an offense that scored 35 points in the comeback. Cousins threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns against the Saints, helping Las Vegas finish off its 35-27 win.

Source: D’Avril Grant/Shutterstock.com

The defense has also received major contributions around Crosby. Rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses made a late interception, while Nakobe Dean contributed to the Raiders’ turnover-driven start through the first three games.

Pressure, history and the Week 4 stakes

Crosby’s assignment against Mahomes is about more than recording a sack. Mahomes’ ability to extend plays forces pass rushers to balance pressure with discipline, as a broken play can turn into a major gain once he escapes.

Kansas City also enters with a deeper recent history of success against the Raiders. The Chiefs dominated one 2025 meeting with a 31-0 victory in October, when Mahomes threw for 286 yards and 3 touchdowns, though Las Vegas later beat Kansas City 14-12 in the season finale.

That 31-0 game was especially difficult for Crosby, who left with knee and back issues after playing only part of the contest. The current Raiders have already matched last season’s win total after 3 games, and their defense has generated turnovers at a markedly different rate.

The Chiefs will visit Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 4, with both teams entering at 3-0. NFL.com lists the game for 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS, while the Raiders’ official schedule confirms the matchup, putting Crosby’s pass rush directly against Mahomes’ ability to handle pressure and extend plays.

TL;DR

Maxx Crosby quickly shifted the Raiders’ attention to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs after Las Vegas reached 3-0.
Las Vegas has forced nine turnovers and allowed no fourth-quarter points through three games.
Mahomes and the Chiefs are also 3-0 heading into the October 4 AFC West matchup.
Crosby and Mahomes have a long history of competitive encounters, with mutual respect away from the field.
The Raiders’ improved defensive depth gives Crosby more support against Kansas City’s offense.

Read More From This Brand:

This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.

Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.

Stocks in this story

The Walt Disney CompanyDIS