“Yeah, sure. And that’s, that is, that’s kind of always been what I think if you look back at the history of the organization, even before, you know, running the ball and playing great defense, and then we have weapons, you know, we’re just, we’re blessed with weapons.” John Harbaugh’s words tumbled out during the post-game presser, each one building anticipation. Then, as if on cue, Lamar Jackson strolled into the room. Harbaugh didn’t miss a beat: “I mean, one of them just walked in here right now, best weapon in football right there.”

On September 29, 2024, Harbaugh’s praise for Jackson couldn’t have been better timed. The Ravens had just steamrolled the Buffalo Bills 35-10, with Jackson outgunning Josh Allen. This win improved Baltimore’s record to 2-2, echoing their form from last year’s AFC Championship run.

Jackson’s performance spoke volumes. He went 13 for 18, racking up 156 yards and two touchdowns through the air. On the ground, he added 54 yards and another score. But Jackson wasn’t alone in dismantling the Bills. Derrick Henry, the Ravens’ new battering ram, burst out of the gates with an 87-yard touchdown run on the first play. Henry finished with a jaw-dropping 209 scrimmage yards.

The Ravens’ defense matched the offense’s intensity. They sacked Allen three times, doubling his season total. It was a complete team effort that made Harbaugh’s bold claim about Jackson seem less like hyperbole and more like a statement of fact.

Meanwhile in Los Angeles, Patrick Mahomes was writing his script. In his 100th regular-season start, he led the Chiefs back from a 10-point deficit for a 17-10 victory over the Chargers. Mahomes – who found rookie Xavier Worthy for a 54-yard bomb, demonstrating he is still the master of the big play.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Chiefs. As Mahomes put it, “Obviously, the corner made a good play. I was trying to fire it to Travis (Kelce) on his body. I overthrew him a little bit and turned the ball over.” That interception led to an injury for receiver Rashee Rice, reminding us that even the best can have off moments.

Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes’ battle for AFC supremacy

The AFC power structure is revealing itself. The 4-0 Chiefs set the tone, but a dominant win by the Ravens over the Bills sent a notice throughout the league. This is not two quarterbacks; this is two teams going directly at each other.

It was a historic night for Travis Kelce, of course, as he passed Tony Gonzalez for Kansas City’s records with 922 catches, but the message is clear that Kansas City is an offense force. Yet an attack this balanced with Jackson’s nuances and Henry’s brute strength makes the Ravens a genuine threat.

Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back with verbal blows on ESPN’s “First Take.” back in May: “I don’t have to rely on Lamar Jackson running the football because I got that dude back there. I could play off of him to create opportunities in play-action to throw the football. And I got a defense that’s gonna make up for any mistakes I make along the way.”

Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated ranked the Harbaugh-Jackson duo second back in May, writing: “The Ravens haven’t broken through with this group, but it feels like only a matter of time.” With the road to the Super Bowl perhaps running through either Kansas City or Baltimore, NFL fans are in for a treat. The battle for AFC supremacy is just starting to get hot..