Welcome to the Kermit the Frog Bowl.

We’re going to call it that because Sunday’s game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs is exactly that, based on the history of ridicule by the Raiders, and the seriousness that Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes takes that ridicule leading to this game.

Here’s the history:

In July, for whatever reason, Raiders players started mocking Mahomes for his Kermit the Frog voice.

Kermit the Frog Taunt shows up again

And, full transparency here, even Travis Kelce has at times mocked his teammate for his voice. So it’s a thing.

But will the Raiders do it? That’s another matter.

The background is that a fan brings a Kermit the Frog doll to the Raiders training camp. The thing was wearing a Chiefs jersey and had hair that looked like, well, Mahomes.

And rookie defensive back Trey Taylor took the dummy and began serving as an amateur ventriloquist.

At one point, Taylor says through the puppet in his best Kermit voice, “I’m a b—ch.” And you can hear teammates laughing and clowning in the background.

Pretty funny. But definitely immature, right?

September 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) in action against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory credits: Brett Davis-Imagn images

Mahomes not laughing at Kermit joke

Well, Mahomes saw the clip on social media. (These guys see everything.)

And he didn’t seem to find it funny. Not at all.

“Things like that happen,” Mahomes said shortly afterward, when asked by Kansas City reporters. “It will be dealt with when it is dealt with.”

The processing day has arrived.

The Chiefs (6-0) are the NFL’s only undefeated team and will be in Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon to face the 2-5 Raiders.

The Raiders, as much as they have struggled over the past two seasons, remain the last team to beat the Chiefs, on Christmas Day in 2023.

Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. (Getty Images)

Chiefs who are serious about playing

We should tell you right now that both the Chiefs and the Raiders took the taunt seriously after it happened.

“We don’t spend a lot of time here with puppets,” coach Andy Reid told CBS during training camp.

“We handled it as a team yesterday,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said when he learned of the stunt a day later. “We nipped it in the bud.”

Yes, maybe. Because the Raiders keep talking about Mahomes like he’s just a man.

“I don’t think anyone in this locker room is intimidated by him,” Raiders cornerback Jack Jones said this week.

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes battles the San Francisco 49ers during overtime of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Mahomes and Hopkins on the agenda

Mahomes has been careful with his words this week.

He may be planning to unleash hell on Las Vegas’ defense, but he’s smarter than saying the joke — or anything else the Raiders have said about him — still resonates, and he wants revenge.

“I don’t know if you would say it appeals to me,” Mahomes said. “I think just knowing that the competitive spirit they have on that side will match the competitive spirit we have.

“I think it will be a fun football match where we will get the best out of every player on that football field. Like I said, the best team will win.”

And oh yeah, there’s football involved in the drama.

Today will be the first game for new Chiefs receiver DeAndre Hopkins following his trade from the Tennessee Titans earlier this week.

The Chiefs have a package of plays that they are confident Hopkins has learned and is comfortable with Mahomes.