Roquan Smith has a BOLD message for ‘elite’ Patrick Mahomes before Ravens-Chiefs AFC Championship Game

At the end of the 2023 regular season, the Ravens defense ranked best scoring defense in the league, allowing just 16.5 points per game.

Roquan Smith has a BOLD message for ‘elite’ Patrick Mahomes before Ravens-Chiefs AFC Championship Game

Patrick Mahomes and Roquan Smith (Via CNN/Dynasty Nerds)

Ever since the Kansas City Chiefs advanced to the AFC championship, where they will be hosted by none other than the top-seeded AFC team, the Baltimore Ravens, there has been quite a buzz revolving around Lamar Jackson. But he isn’t the only weapon that the Ravens possess, as Roquan Smith made sure his opponents know the Ravens’ defense is arguably the best defense in the league. 

Ahead of the mega matchup scheduled for the coming Sunday, the Ravens’ linebacker sent out a bold message for his opponents for the reigning Super Bowl MVP winner, Patrick Mahomes, on behalf of his team’s solid defense. 

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Smith said in a press conference, last Wednesday:

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We all know he's an elite quarterback. He does everything well. I think personally just his ability to read coverages, extend plays. … He's a great quarterback, we all know that but so are we on defense.
Roquan Smith said

Smith also appreciated how hard the Ravens’ defensive players have worked and he credited their consistency for reaching this level. He added:

Day in and day out, and I think it starts with the preparation throughout the week. Each and every guy look themselves in the mirror. I try to tell each and every guy every day, if you give everything that you've got, there's not many people who can do what we can do.
Roquan Smith added

Considering Baltimore’s stats at the end of the 2023 regular season, where they ranked the best-scoring defense in the league, allowing just 16.5 points per game, it sure isn’t going to be easy for Mahomes. 

How the Ravens’ defense has improved and outplayed the top offenses in the NFL

Since the last time when the two teams faced each other in the playoffs, the Ravens’ defense has improved insurmountable. And as of now, they are playing their best defensive football. They have outscored the NFL’s top offenses such as the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and the San Francisco 49ers, and they held all of them at less than 20 points. 

Baltimore Ravens' solid defensive line
Baltimore Ravens’ solid defensive line (Via Ebony Bird)

Sports analyst Skip Bayless, as well, acknowledged the sheer dominance of the Ravens’ defense. He wrote as he picked Jackson over Mahomes:

The Ravens have the No. 1 defense in points allowed, takeaways and sacks. Patrick Mahomes is going to be up against it.
Skip Bayless on X

The Ravens’ defense continues to dominate the AFC, even in the playoffs when they held Houston Texans’ defense to 0 offensive touchdowns in the divisional round. 

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