Patrick Mahomes got to take the field Saturday with a chip on his shoulder bigger than any of the three Super Bowl rings he wears on his finger.
Mahomes won 15 of 16 starts, set a single-season career high in completion percentage, and gave the Chiefs a home-field advantage advantage throughout the playoffs, but he was on par with the fourth-best quarterback in the AFC. It was considered. Lamar Jackson of the Ravens, Josh Allen of the Bills, Joe Burrow of the Bengals — according to Pro Bowl and All-Pro voters.
It's a good way to poke a bear.
“Statistically, what they did was better, but at the heart of it… [truth] That means Pat is the best quarterback in the league,” ESPN NFL analyst Marcus Spears told the Post. “Once you get to the playoffs, he’s in championship mode.
“Pat recognized that “I didn't have a year like Josh, Lamar, Joe from an individual standpoint, but I did have a year where I showed will to the team and made plays when I needed to to win 15 games.'' I think he will.” “I think he’s much better off that way. ”
The Chiefs, who received a first-round bye, will begin their quest for their first three-straight Super Bowl victory at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday against the Texans in the AFC divisional round.
While the much-anticipated Allen vs. Jackson matchup dominates the conversation around the NFL, the league's newest dynasty somehow becomes little more than a side plot.
“When I look back at the different Super Bowls we've won, I look back at the special moments and special games we had,” Mahomes said. “I'm going to try to do the same this year. It's been fun so far, but I want to reach my ultimate goal.”
If you miss out on the two-time defending champions, you do so at your own risk. By defeating the Texans, the 29-year-old Mahomes could tie Joe Montana for second place all-time in playoff wins (16).
“The Chiefs are kind of a victim of their own success,” said Spears, who was part of ESPN's pregame broadcast. “We live in a generation that wants to find the next thing quickly. The topic of discussion is not about the three-peat, but whether someone can knock the three-peat off the throne.
“The underlying thing that everyone is talking about about other teams is that there's still a sixth sense that the Chiefs are going to figure out a way to get it done because history says so.”
Critics point to the Chiefs winning 16 consecutive one-score games, but that is now a thing of the past as the pendulum has swung in the other direction. right?
“They don't panic at the end of the game, like everyone else does,” Spears said. “That team has the ultimate chess piece in Pat, which makes him feel more comfortable in critical situations than on the first play of the game.'' Every time he has the ball in those situations, he has the ultimate chess piece to win the game. I feel like I'm trying to make a play. In that situation, none of the MVP quarterbacks who have had incredible years will be able to top Pat. ”
Critics may also point to an offense that has failed to score more than 30 points in any game this season, but the Chiefs are a dubious difference, similar to the Patriots (4-13).
But the Chiefs enter the playoffs with a rested Travis Kelce chasing Jerry Rice's playoff receiving record and three hungry pass catchers who haven't participated in back-to-back championships: Marquise Brown (9 catches after scoring); 91 yards) (season debut on Dec. 21), the NFL's fastest man, Xavier Worthy (9 touchdowns from scrimmage as a rookie), and future Hall of Famer DeAndre Hopkins (437 yards, 4 touchdowns in 10 games since acquisition).
They also add running back Isaiah Pacheco, who is active in the playoffs. He hasn't gained more than 61 yards from scrimmage in five games since returning from a foot injury, but has gained at least 75 yards in each of seven career postseason games.
“Marquise Brown is a big deal,” Spears said. “Xavier Worthy wants to bring that type of speed and lift the top off the defense. Pat and Travis are going to get it done. Wake up in the morning and brush your teeth and think they're going to be successful in the playoffs. Something like that.”
So what's the path for the Texans to the upset? Rely on Will Anderson, Daniel Hunter, and the rest of the defensive line. The Chiefs are countering that strength by moving All-Pro guard Joe Thuney to left tackle.
“If we can't put pressure on the Pats, we can cancel Christmas,” Spears said. “We need to move him out of that position and make sure he doesn’t take away those critical third downs that we see every year in the playoffs.”
Don't expect chips to slow him down.
