JACKSONVILLE – Twenty talked.
That's what Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey did Thursday at his weekly media availability, and here's what we learned:
Yes, Ramsey is looking forward to Sunday.
Like pretty much everyone who follows the Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs or the NFL.
"This is the stuff you live for – the top offense statistics-wise, the top defense statistics-wise," Ramsey said as the Jaguars (3-1) prepared to play the Chiefs (4-0) at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Jaguars enter Sunday as the league's No. 1 defense in total points, yards allowed and passing yards allowed. The Chiefs are the NFL's No. 1 scoring offense.
"It's going to be a battle," Ramsey said. "Why would you not want that? Being a competitor, loving the game as much as everybody loves it – that's what you want."
He added, "If I'm speaking of weapons and how they use their guys, they're probably the top offense I've played in my NFL career. They do a good job of getting guys the ball who can be dangerous with it."
Ramsey also commented on Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who said of Ramsey this week: "He thinks high of himself. He's all right, I guess. I can't wait to line up against him. I hope he presses me. He's a great player. To get my name out there more, I need to go up against more talent like him. … He's top dog right now, so I can't wait."
Ramsey smiled when a reporter read him Hill's quote.
"I just wish he would have picked a side," Ramsey said. "Either I'm just all right, or I'm the top dog. Pick a side. If I'm the top dog and I'm just all right, then that means he doesn't think any corner in the league is good. And that's not true."
Ramsey then asked reporters to state the real question. Came the response: How forward are you looking to the matchup?
"I'm looking forward to playing the game," he said. "I'm looking forward to seeing our defense against their offense. I don't like how whoever has made it a matchup: me against Tyreek. He's good for what he does for their team. He made All-Pro as a return specialist – let's get that right, as a return specialist – in his rookie year. He went to two Pro Bowls as a return specialist – return specialist.
"Í made All-Pro at my position as a corner. I went to the Pro Bowl as a corner. So, it's not a wide receiver-versus-corner matchup. So, we can get that out of the way off bat."
Ramsey called the comments "a strategic, smart move" by Hill.
"He's going to get some clout," Ramsey said. "He's going to get the buzz going around there a little bit."
Ramsey said Hill knows – "like I feel like everybody knows" – that the way the Chiefs use Hill will prevent the duo from matching up much on Sunday.
"Me and Tyreek, we're going to probably have some opportunities to match up against each other, but it won't be like that for the majority of the game," Ramsey said. "He moves around everywhere. He plays running back, receiver, slot. He's not out there on an island 90 percent of the time where I'm at. I don't think this is really a matchup game, to be honest with you."
Ramsey was asked specifically about Hill wanting Ramsey to play press coverage against him given the opportunity.
"If you look at my film, what do I do every week?" Ramsey said. "I play press every week no matter who I'm playing. If he wants smoke, it will get there."
The Chiefs offense with quarterback Patrick Mahomes have tested cornerbacks deep regularly this season, something Ramsey said could give him and fellow All-Pro cornerback A.J. Bouye opportunities. The Jaguars' secondary, which accounted for 18 of the team's 21 interceptions last season, does not have an interception this season.
"They're really good," Ramsey said. "They're going to throw the ball a lot. We might have opportunities again this week. Hopefully we can capitalize on them."
