Patrick Mahomes remains humble, deflects praise after record-setting day

[Hammock Parties]

SAINT PATRICK

https://theathletic.com/528566/2018/...d-setting-day/

PITTSBURGH​ — Disregard​ the​ fact that they​ have played just two​ games. Ignore the notion​ that​ one shouldn’t​ overreact​ to​ NFL​​ results before Thanksgiving — and especially before Halloween. After two road victories, every football observer, no matter their level of knowledge of the team’s recent history, shouldn’t be afraid to recalibrate their thoughts about the 2018 Kansas City Chiefs.

In order for the Chiefs to win in this proud city, such as perilous place for opposing teams, their quarterback had to be special. Instead, he was spectacular.

Patrick Mahomes, the young gunslinger who will turn 23 years old Monday, produced the best game of his just-launched career Sunday. The Steelers blitzed Mahomes often, they sometimes dropped eight defenders into coverage in the red zone, and they hit him hard at times. But the Steelers’ defensive strategy and their signature toughness couldn’t sway the outcome of Sunday’s game at Heinz Field.

The Chiefs’ absolute frantic 42-37 victory was a byproduct of Mahomes’ accuracy, head coach Andy Reid’s brilliant offensive game plan and the rest of the players raising their performances alongside their swaggering quarterback. Mahomes amassed 326 passing yards and committed no turnovers. His six touchdown passes added him to the top of the franchise’s record book for single-game TDs next to Len Dawson, a Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer.

Mahomes also set a new NFL record by passing for 10 touchdowns in the first two games of a season. He was so efficient and so precise against the Steelers that he finished with more touchdown passes than incompletions.

“You never expect to have 10 touchdowns at this point in the season, but I knew that this offense, and the weapons that we have, and the scheme Coach Reid is drawing up, that we have a chance to be really, really good,” Mahomes said smiling. “The possibilities, I mean, they’re endless.”

Five different Chiefs — tight end Travis Kelce, running back Kareem Hunt and receivers Tyreek Hill, Chris Conley and Demarcus Robinson — caught a touchdown pass for Mahomes.

In the game’s first six minutes, Mahomes threw two lasers for touchdowns. He found Conley in the middle of the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown. On the next possession, Mahomes beat the Steelers’ tight, bracketing coverage to connect with Kelce for a 19-yard score.

The Chiefs led 21-0 after the first quarter, which prompted boos from the Steelers faithful. Certain non-partisan fans on Twitter began asking the Steelers to “pass the sticks,” the ultimate disrespectful phrase in the Madden NFL video game community.

“I see Pat doing this all season long,” Kelce said. “He’s got the confidence. As long as we give him time and get open as wideouts, tight ends and running backs, he’s going to get the best of everyone.”

The Chiefs’ offensive explosion ended a seven-game losing streak in Pittsburgh that lasted 32 years. The last time the Chiefs won in Pittsburgh was Dec. 21, 1986, when the Steelers played in Three Rivers Stadium and their quarterback was Mark Malone. That season-finale victory, which clinched the Chiefs a playoff berth for the first time in 15 years, featured the team scoring all 24 of its points on special teams.

Deron Cherry recovered a blocked punt in the end zone, Nick Lowery made a 47-yard field goal, Boyce Green returned a kickoff for a 97-yard touchdown and Lloyd Burruss returned a blocked field goal for a 78-yard touchdown.

Inside the Chiefs’ radio booth Sunday, Mitch Holthus, the team’s play-by-play announcer for the past 24 years, knew he probably felt the same emotion and had the same reaction has many fans had watching Mahomes: amazement and shock.

“I didn’t see this coming,” Holthus said. “But I’m learning more and more about Patrick every day. He has a photographic memory. He is humble. Like, this could all go to his head because this is going to be the buzz around the league. But here’s the thing with this kid: He keeps his feet on the ground.

“I didn’t know he was this tough mentally and emotionally. That’s why this whole team follows him. They know he’s confident, but this dude stays humble and the guys know how tough he is and how much he works.”

Despite the offense’s success, the Chiefs’ defense could not hold the early lead. The Steelers scored 21 points in the second quarter to tie the game.

The game’s momentum changed late in the first quarter when Chiefs cornerback Orlando Scandrick committed a costly holding penalty on Steelers All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown. During that play, outside linebacker Justin Houston forced quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to fumble the ball, which defensive tackle Chris Jones scooped up for what would’ve been a five-yard touchdown. Throughout the game, penalties on both sides of the ball hurt the Chiefs and gave the Steelers opportunities to come back.

At halftime, Mahomes led his teammates.

“He came in at halftime, and [he] was very positive,” Reid said. “He was leading that charge and the talk. He’s not shy when he’s around the guys at all. I didn’t sense any panic from anybody.”

After halftime, Reid gave the full offensive game plan over to Mahomes.

The Chiefs played the third quarter almost entirely out of an empty shotgun, with five receivers spreading the Steelers’ defense. Perhaps the situation felt familiar for Mahomes, who spent his college career at Texas Tech in shootout after shootout. Mahomes responded to the added responsibility — of no longer having a run-pass balance in play-calling — by leading the Chiefs to three consecutive drives that ended in a touchdown.

“It just speaks to the weapons we have on offense,” Mahomes said. “They can’t stop everybody, so for me, it’s just about getting (the ball) to the guy that has the man-to-man coverage or has the open area. No one really cares about who is getting the shine. Everybody just wants to win.”


Mahomes also did the little tasks needed to secure the victory. He scrambled out of the pocket in the fourth quarter for a four-yard completion to Watkins for a crucial third-down conversion. With less than two minutes left, he recovered his own fumble after mishandling the snap.

Several veterans wondered how Mahomes would handle the Chiefs’ schedule after it was released in the spring. Two road games to start the season for a quarterback with only one career start, Conley said, was a difficult assignment. But with each step in Mahomes’ new role, during the offseason activities, training camp and weekly game plan preparations, he has impressed his teammates with his diligence and conviction.

“The level of confidence and poise this kid has, I haven’t seen it anywhere,” Conley said. “He has continued to just go in and learn and get better and then come on the field and execute. You can’t ask him to do anything else.”

Up next for Mahomes and the Chiefs is their home opener next week against the 49ers. From the fan base’s perspective, the game will serve as the most anticipated such opener since 1993 or 1994, which were Joe Montana’s two seasons in Kansas City.

But before analyzing the next game, Holthus, who began his tenure with the team in 1994, wanted to stress the importance of the Chiefs’ victory in Pittsburgh.

“Honestly, last week, to win a road division game to open the season, it felt like a win and a half,” Holthus said. “Even though this isn’t a division road win, to not win here in 32 years, it feels like a win and a half, too. You’re playing two playoff contenders on the road. To win both of them, the significance cannot be overstated.”

When Mahomes exited the locker room, he was greeted by his father, Patrick Mahomes Sr., his younger brother, Jackson, and his longtime girlfriend, Brittany Matthews. Each of the trio congratulated young Mahomes, gave him a long hug and took photos with him.

The last in-person interview left for Mahomes was with Holthus for the Chiefs’ website. In five minutes, Holthus asked Mahomes all the usual questions. Both men smiled when discussing the upcoming home opener. Holthus ended his interview by asking Mahomes how he planned to celebrate the victory and his 23rd birthday.

“Probably nothing,” Mahomes told Holthus. “I’ll probably go home (tonight) and start watching film of the 49ers.”

[ptlyon]

Originally Posted by RUSH

The quotes from Kelce and Conley stick out, because based on what I saw, they absolutely mean it.

I sat behind the Chiefs bench yesterday and my biggest takeaway was how calm and confident the entire team was considering what was transpiring on the field and the hostile environment. Even the defense. We as fans are getting there in terms of the ability to overcome so much due to this QB, but the team is already there after seeing this guy for the past year and a half. It's obvious that they know they have a star and the level of respect they have for a such a young guy is jarring. The guys love him and Pat just oozes confidence.

I was sitting there in complete confidence that they had this W throughout the game and I'm naturally pessimistic with this team. It was such a strange feeling. We are entering a very special era for this franchise.

And yes the Steelers fans tears tasted glorious. Just so helpless and witnessed meltdown after meltdown.

Post MOAR

[Sassy Squatch]

Originally Posted by Lzen

This piece has a lot of good stuff in it but this part really stood out to me.


This is what great QBs do, they make everyone around them (on offense) better. It's still early but all signs are pointing that way. I agree with Clay in a way. Not that I want to see close games or the Chiefs getting behind and having to come back to win a game, but I am curious as to how Pat will handle something like that. I suspect that he will handle it like a boss, but you never know until it happens.

Watkins was playing like a beast in open space. Maximum effort every time he touched the ball.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by DRM08

Better wheels than Marino.

I think the ceiling for Pat is Aaron Rodgers. That's an insane ceiling but he definitely has similar physical ability to Aaron. Time will tell if he can play at that extremely high level for many many years.

I think he's got two things working for him. One, his head coach is so far ahead of the game innovatively that his offense will stay a few steps ahead. Second, his quick decision making... That's been a real surprise and probably a product of good scheming.

You're right... We haven't needed to see Aaron Rodgers. A lot I think has to do with scheming these guys open. Another is that our OL has been solid. I don't look forward to it but it's going to be fun when mahomes wows the critics again with one of his most outstanding qualities - throwing on the run.

[redfan]

More TD passes than incompletions, no INTs. Overcame the Steelers (and the refs) in Pittsburgh. It's a brave new era, men.

[Kiimo]

The last in-person interview left for Mahomes was with Holthus for the Chiefs’ website. In five minutes, Holthus asked Mahomes all the usual questions. Both men smiled when discussing the upcoming home opener. Holthus ended his interview by asking Mahomes how he planned to celebrate the victory and his 23rd birthday.

“Probably nothing,” Mahomes told Holthus. “I’ll probably go home (tonight) and start watching film of the 49ers.”

I don’t care if it’s true or not. The fact that he knows how valuable that statement is is pretty telling. That’s the stuff that makes all the ‘do it the right way’ conservative fans cry with happiness and cream their jorts. Shrewd. And if it IS true... welp! Guess I’m a sucker for it too!

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by ARROW2

I CAN'T!!!!!!!! I have been pining for this dude since he was drafted. I don't have to watch 30 games to see special talent.

Me either. 31 years as a fan and this is what we have all dreamed about.

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by redhed

More TD passes than incompletions, no INTs. Overcame the Steelers (and the refs) in Pittsburgh. It's a brave new era, men.

Zero punter setups!!! ZERO. Unheard of in the modern NFL.

[Chiefnj2]

As much as I enjoyed watching Trent Green lead the offense years back, Mahomes is already looking so much better as a pure passer. The accuracy and speed that the ball is getting to the receivers down the field is really draw dropping.

It's looking very promising. Hopefully Jax won't have a blueprint to slow things down in a few weeks.

[bowener]

God dammit, I thought we deserved a great QB after all these years, but to receive a QB this ****ing good almost feels like we're cheating the universe.

I'm nearly 34, and it is so ****ing fantastic to realize I get to watch Mahomes lead this team into my 50s. Eventually it won't even matter what we have at wideout, just like the Pats. Even running back won't matter.

He is going to become the face of the NFL, too. He is a great human being, and a god-tier talent. We're going to start to get all the late night games, and as fans we're going to have to get used to receiving all the phantom roughing the QB penalties and disregarded OL holds. Season tickets are about to become so ****ing expensive.

tl;dr- we are ****ing blessed!

[IowaHawkeyeChief]

Originally Posted by ChiefsFanatic

I have said this before on the Planet, but Reid is following in the footsteps of Vermeil, and has to be stooped by cHunt or God before he wastes this offensive talent on a piece of Defensive Coordinator just because some ridiculous sense of loyalty. He was actually praising Bob Sutton after the game, saying he made great adjustments.

We have never won a playoff game with a QB we drafted. We have what appears to be a true franchise QB. We have the best group of wide receivers in team history. We have the best TE, and a running back who has already led the league in rushing and it's only his second year. But we have a terrible secondary, almost no pass rush to speak of, and a DC and defensive scheme and strategy that doesn't fit the personnel.

As fans of this franchise we deserve Patrick Mahomes. What we don't deserve is Greg Robinson 2.0 aka Bob Sutton.

Sent from my LG-H932 using Tapatalk

It's the Jimmy and Joes on defense as much as the x's and o's... We added Hitchens and I think our run defense is definitely better... Yesterday we got little pressure on the QB and when we wiffed on two sacks on 3rd downs that would have squelched TD drives. We need more of a pass rush but this has more to do with talent than scheme...

[Mile High Mania]

He sounds like a genuinely good dude and you have a stellar QB for the next long while... congrats. The NFL desperately needs a younger generation of QBs to step up and KC fans have waited a long time for this. Enjoy it.

[Talisman]

How hard was it for Reid to not put Mahomes in during the second half of the Titans playoff game? He knew he had to preserve Smith's trade value by keeping him in, all the while knowing he had a guy that could have gone in and moved the offense practically at will. Playing the painful long game.