LOS ANGELES: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson insists recent history will count for nothing on Sunday (Monday in Manila) as he attempts to break his duck against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in a clash of former NFL MVPs.

Jackson, the 2019 MVP, has never got the better of Mahomes in three encounters with the Chiefs since 2018, with last season's 34-20 defeat prompting Jackson to describe Kansas City as "our kryptonite."

"I said that because they did beat us three times," Jackson said. "So, it's like, 'Man, we've got to find a way

to win.' And hopefully this Sunday night will be different."

In his three duels with Mahomes, Jackson has been significantly out-performed by his Chiefs counterpart.

In last season's instalment, Mahomes threw for 385 yards while Jackson managed just 97.

Jackson, however, maintains he does not see himself as being engaged in a personal rivalry with Mahomes.

"It's not about me and Mahomes — not to me, probably to everyone else," Jackson said. "It's the Ravens vs the Kansas City Chiefs. They did beat us three times but that's in the past."

Whatever Jackson's protestations, teammate Sammy Watkins is less convinced. The Ravens receiver, who spent three seasons at the Chiefs before joining Baltimore this year, is in no doubt the two quarterbacks see themselves as rivals.

"Those guys definitely view it that way," Watkins said. "You can say you're not, but the world is watching two of the best, youngest MVPs in the league and very talented guys."

Jackson is looking to bounce back from a disappointing season-opening defeat to the Las Vegas Raiders in Nevada on Monday. A fumble from the Ravens quarterback in a crucial passage of play ultimately gave the Raiders the chance to snatch victory in overtime.

Mahomes, meanwhile, opened his season in familiar fashion, engineering a fourth quarter rally to lead the Chiefs to a 33-29 win over Cleveland last Sunday.

The 26-year-old quarterback wants the Chiefs to ride momentum from that win into Sunday's game in Baltimore.