Not since the Rams and Chiefs 105 point shootout in 2018 has a regular season game been so highly anticipated.
As Patrick Mahomes and his champion Chiefs marched on to M&T Bank Stadium to face Lamar Jackson and his murder of Ravens, the sporting world stood frozen with bated breath.
Mahomes v Jackson
The reigning Super Bowl MVP v the presiding regular season MVP.
The fledgling narrative had been constructed last season, now the board was set for a secondary meeting of the minds.
Following an uncharacteristically sloppy performance against the Chargers the week prior, Mahomes struck early to eliminate the first of Jackson's pawns.
On a 2nd and goal snap, Mahomes excited the pocket and strolled leisurely into the end zone without tackler in sight.
The Chiefs play caller wiped further of his opposite's front line infantry from the board with an audacious underhand shovel to his fullback Anthony Sherman.
A long ball to his favourite receiver, tight end Travis Kelce and a sidearm sling to Mecole Hardman had Mahomes in bayoneting distance once more. The twenty yard floater into the hands of Tyreek Hill not only brought about a third TD, it had a wasteful Jackson removing his final foot soldier from the checkered board.
Once again, the Raven's refusal to move the chains gifted the ball to back to the marauding Chief. A further sling and and a series of running back hand offs had him staring down Jackson's knights and rooks.
With a spiritual spiral from his own 38 yard line at 3rd and 14, the horse had been slain and the castle walls demolished.
After assessing a threadbare army and with his receivers covered, Jackson set out on foot.
If the king won't come to you, you must go to him.
His spear to tight end Nick Boyle to begin the fourth quarter did at least force Mahomes to remove a singular piece from the board.
However, with his the braided Baltimore baller's monarchs removed from their once lush abode, the 25 year old Texan needed only one final move to slay them - a twelve yard lob to offensive lineman Eric Fisher.
Checkmate.
The final numbers did not make for pretty reading for Jackson. 15 completions from 28 attempts. 97 yards. One touchdown.
Still, we can't wait until these young QB's set the board and do battle again.