When the NFL’s reigning MVP plays one of the sport’s most intense players, the battle is on.

Even if the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense is still trying to find a rhythm and the Las Vegas Raiders are below .500.

Patrick Mahomes versus Maxx Crosby has become a must-see matchup whenever the opposing forces meet on the field.

Thanks to both of their teams playing in the AFC West, the Chiefs (9-5) and Raiders (6-8) meet at least twice a year.

The bitter rivalry will be renewed on Christmas Day before a primetime audience.

“When it’s between the quarters, he (Mahomes) knows what time it is,” Crosby said. “And I know what time it is when he’s out there.”

The professional rivalry between the Chiefs quarterback and Raiders defensive end was highlighted in Season One of Netflix’s fascinating Quarterback documentary, which provided an inside look at their intense but respectful battle.

“I was messing with him a little bit, pushing him on the shoulder after the ball was gone, just trying to mess with him to see how he would react,” Crosby recalled. “He started getting irritated. He bumped me, and I’m like, ‘What’s up?’ And I walked right up to him and he started walking at me.

“My immediate, just natural human reaction, somebody is walking at me, I’m hitting first. So I headbutted him.”

That strategic attack ultimately backfired, as the Raiders watched a 17-0 lead turn into a classic 30-29 Chiefs victory.

“You woke up the wrong m***!” Mahomes screamed over and over at Crosby. “I’m here all day!”

Crosby kept his inner fire vs the Chiefs burning in 2023, ensuring that he took the field against Mahomes in Week 12 despite not practicing and being listed as doubtful.

Crosby, who had a sack during that game, was in so much pain before kickoff that he was forced to go to the hospital as his knee swelled like a balloon.

“I was literally bedridden. I could not move,” said Crosby, who dealt with bacteria in fluid that had built up within his knee.

“I had to go through all these requirements,” Crobsy said. “I had to do this, this, this. I had to go out and f****** show them that I could f****** do anything.”

Las Vegas raced out to a 14-0 lead with Crosby in the active lineup.

But Mahomes again got the best of the star defender and his Raiders, completing 27-of-34 passes for 298 yards, two touchdowns and a 122.8 rating.

“I think as the game went on, for four quarters, they became the better team,” Las Vegas interim head coach Antonio Pierce said. “There’s a reason why Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in football.”

While Crosby has made two Pro Bowls and is having another standout season with 80 combined tackles and 13 1/2 sacks, Las Vegas is on its No. 2 QB in Aidan O’Connell and almost eliminated from playoff contention.

Mahomes is a two-time Super Bowl champion attempting to lead Kansas City back to the big game, with Super Bowl LVIII set for Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on February 11, 2024.

The Chiefs QB also has a serious recent advantage against Crosby’s team.

Kansas City has a six-game winning streak vs the Raiders and has won 11 of the last 12 matchups.

For Las Vegas to finally beat the Chiefs, Crosby will likely have to get inside Mahomes’ head again, and then win the real battle on the field.

“Whenever coach (Andy) Reid has to grab you and pull you aside, that’s when you know you’re going a little too far,” Mahomes said in the Quarterback documentary. “Coach Reid grabbed me and was like, ‘Hey, man, we’ve got to calm down, just a little bit.’ “

After Reid asked Mahomes who he was after, the Chiefs QB said the answer was obvious.

The Raiders defender that he has such a great on-field rivalry with.

“98’s a**, bro,” said Mahomes, referring to Crosby by his Las Vegas jersey number.