MATT HASSELBECK CALLS OUT CHIEFS’ LACK OF ‘FEAR’ FOR LAMAR JACKSON, REIGNITING KRYPTONITE DEBATE
MATT HASSELBECK CALLS OUT CHIEFS’ LACK OF ‘FEAR’ FOR LAMAR JACKSON, REIGNITING KRYPTONITE DEBATE
BALTIMORE, MD – Lamar Jackson has been one of the league’s most electrifying quarterbacks since 2018, cementing himself as one of the most dangerous dual-threat players the modern game has seen. But there’s one puzzle that continues to give him problems: the Kansas City Chiefs.
It happened again on Sunday. Jackson and the Ravens went toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, and once again, KC came out on top in the 37-20 victory. Steve Spagnuolo’s defense wasn’t just steady—it was disruptive—and Jackson struggled to find his expected rhythm.
The Theory of 'No Fear'
Former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck joined Colin Cowherd’s The Herd on Monday and offered some insight into why this particular matchup tends to get the better of Jackson. It started with something bold: the Chiefs’ lack of fear.
Hasselbeck argued that Spagnuolo and the Chiefs simply "don't fear him like the rest of the league does." This holds weight, as few defenses have consistently held Jackson in check the way Kansas City has. The numbers tell the story: Lamar is now 1-5 in regular season games against the Chiefs. Over those six games, he’s passed for 1,170 yards, six touchdowns, and three picks while taking 14 sacks. While his rushing totals are solid, they haven't been enough to tip the scales against Mahomes' high-flying offense.
Spagnuolo's Strategy: Choosing What to Live With
What’s clearer each time these two teams meet is just how well Spagnuolo prepares for Jackson’s unique skill set. He doesn’t try to stop everything—no one really can—but he chooses what to live with. Often, that means forcing Jackson into tough passing situations, taking away his favorite run concepts, and creating defensive looks that slow down the option game just enough to disrupt timing.
That’s more than just coaching strategy—it’s confidence, a mentality Hasselbeck recognized from his own days playing in the NFL. The message is clear: sometimes in the NFL, matchups aren’t just about X’s and O’s. They’re about chemistry, fit, and mental hurdles. And for Jackson and the Ravens, something about seeing a Chiefs logo across the field scrambles the signal.
Hasselbeck also floated the idea of mental weight. These two QBs have been unofficially linked since their early days, but Mahomes leads the head-to-head series and owns multiple Super Bowl rings. That’s a heavy presence to match up against, and maybe it weighs on Jackson more than he lets on. Whatever the reason, that 1-5 record is hard to ignore. Until he—or the Ravens—figure out how to crack the Spagnuolo code, Kansas City will remain a thorn in Baltimore’s side.
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