Mahomes

One year ago, after the AFC championship game, I wrote a blog called “Yips”.  The Chiefs dominated the Bengals for the first half of that game, but just before halftime, they failed to score from the 2-yard line.  The second half was all Cincinnati. The Chiefs could do nothing. During the second half of the game, Patrick Mahomes appeared to freeze, even panic.  I was concerned about this season. Could Mahomes regain his confidence or would he continue to be plagued with the yips?

This year’s AFC championship game was a rematch, Cincinnati coming into Arrowhead to play the Chiefs.  Despite Mahomes playing with a high-ankle sprain, the Chiefs completely dominated the first quarter. Yet, they scored only 2 field goals. In the second quarter they scored a touchdown on a Mahomes pass to Travis Kelce. Towards the end of the second quarter, the Chiefs intercepted a Burrow’s throw, but went 3-and-out, using only 19-seconds of the clock.  They punted and the Bengals wound up with a field goal prior to halftime.  The score at the half was 13 to 6, Chiefs. The Chiefs got the opening kickoff in the second half, but again went 3-and-out.  There was an uneasy déjà vu feeling about the game.

Cincinnati tied the game in the 3^rd quarter.  The Chiefs responded with a beautiful Mahomes pass, to once again take the lead. Later, with the lead and the ball, Mahomes inexplicably fumbled the football, which was recovered by the Bengals. Cincinnati went on to once more tie the game.

Chiefs got the ball back, but with a little over two minutes left and the score tied, they punted on 4^th-and-long to Cincinnati.  With Burrow as quarterback and plenty of time left, I was again expecting the worst, but the defense rose to the occasion. When Cincinnati had to punt with thirty seconds left in the game and no time outs for the Chiefs, I thought the game would go into overtime.  Skyy Moore fielded the kick and made a good return, putting the Chiefs near midfield with 19-seconds left.  Then, Mahomes, sore ankle and all, ran for 5 yards down the sideline and got a 15-yard roughing the passer call on top of that.  Harrison Butker kicked a 45-yard field goal with 8 seconds left and the Chiefs won. It’s on to the Super Bowl.

This game was one of the gutsiest wins I have ever seen.  Mahomes was severely hobbled by a bad ankle.  Travis Kelce played with a bad back. Three of the Chiefs starting receivers and two starting defensemen went down injured.  There were moments when Mahomes was not at his best, but he never froze or panicked.  On one good leg, he was better than Burrow.  On one good leg, he led a decimated team to victory.

Mahomes has had an MVP year.  The doubts I had a year ago are no longer.  I lived in Denver during the John Elway years, and his five Super Bowl appearances.  I lived in St. Louis when Kurt Warner emerged out of nowhere, to begin his Hall-of-Fame career.  I now live in Kansas City and can say without reservation, Patrick Mahomes is the best I’ve ever seen.  My apologies Patrick, I once had my doubts.