Lamar ready to 'go through a champion' in AFC title game

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is ready to challenge the reigning Super Bowl champions in Sunday's AFC championship matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

"To be a champion, you've got to go through a champion," Jackson said Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec. "That's pretty much the mindset."

The Ravens dominated the Houston Texans 34-10 in their division-round matchup, racking up 352 total yards while allowing just 284. However, Baltimore will face a much stiffer test against Patrick Mahomes and Co.

"I don't like competing against him at all," the 27-year-old said, according to Zrebiec. "He's definitely a great QB. Definitely a Hall of Famer. That's a no-brainer."

Jackson is 1-3 in head-to-head games with the two-time MVP. He's thrown for 750 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions in those matchups while adding 303 yards and another three scores on the ground.

The 2019 MVP could get some additional help for Sunday's matchup as tight end Mark Andrews may return against Kansas City. Andrews has missed seven straight games with an ankle injury.

"It would mean a lot," Jackson said of Andrews' potential return, per Zrebiec. "That's my bread-and-butter, my big bro."

Regardless of whether Andrews can play Sunday, Jackson emphasized that the Ravens are all-in on taking down the Chiefs.

"We're still locked in on the prize that we're chasing here," he said, per Zrebiec. "The mission isn't complete."

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