Patrick Mahomes: ”It kind of is what it is,”
In an illustrious NFL career filled with accomplishments, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is gearing up for a new challenge. Throughout his postseason journey, which includes five consecutive AFC title games, three conference championships, two Super Bowl victories, and even a shattered helmet, Mahomes has always enjoyed the comfort of Arrowhead Stadium. However, this Sunday, he finds himself leading the Chiefs into Buffalo for the divisional round, marking the first time he’ll hit the road in the playoffs.
Mahomes, with a string of 15 postseason games all played in the friendly confines of Arrowhead Stadium, acknowledges the significance of venturing into a hostile environment in Buffalo. Reflecting on his luck with home games, Mahomes sees this road test as a rite of passage he anticipated growing up watching football.
The upcoming clash at Highmark Stadium holds a unique position for Mahomes, who only played there once in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, sparing him the experience of facing Bills fans. In that game, Mahomes showcased his prowess with 225 passing yards and two touchdowns, leading the Chiefs to a 26-17 victory.
The Chiefs’ road journey stems from a crucial moment in their regular-season game against Buffalo. A rare offensive offside penalty on Kadarius Toney nullified a potential game-changing play, where Travis Kelce lateraled to Toney for what could have been the winning touchdown. Consequently, the Bills secured the No. 2 seed, relegating the Chiefs to the No. 3 seed and setting the stage for this playoff road debut.
Surprisingly, Mahomes’ road performance statistics throughout his career suggest that hitting the road might not be a disadvantage. He boasts a higher completion percentage, more yards per game, and a significantly better quarterback rating during away games. Despite playing in two more games on the road, Mahomes has taken eight fewer sacks, a fact he attributes to Coach Andy Reid’s emphasis on communication.
Mahomes elucidates that nonverbal communication becomes crucial on the road, emphasizing the need to maintain a balanced mindset amid the highs and lows of the game. He believes that big plays and mistakes are magnified in road games, highlighting the importance of staying focused on executing plays the right way.
The Chiefs’ confidence is further buoyed by Mahomes’ outstanding performance in the divisional round, where he remains undefeated at 5-0. His remarkable stats include 11 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a completion rate of 70%, surpassing his career average.
Head coach Andy Reid expresses confidence in Mahomes’ readiness and excitement for the upcoming challenge in Buffalo, acknowledging the electrifying atmosphere at Highmark Stadium. Mahomes, despite his success against the Bills in the postseason, remains respectful of the challenge they present, emphasizing the need for the Chiefs to play great football to secure a victory.
”It kind of is what it is,” he said Wednesday. ”I’ve been lucky enough to play a lot of games at home, at Arrowhead Stadium, and things have fallen that way. Now we get to go on the road to a hostile environment, one I have not played in with fans in the stands. But it’s what you want to do when you grow up watching these games.”
Looking back at the previous matchups, Mahomes has been a playoff thorn in the Bills’ side, ending their season twice in the past three years. In the AFC championship game in the 2020 season, he delivered a stellar performance with 29 completions on 38 attempts, 325 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, securing a 38-24 victory. The following year, Mahomes orchestrated a remarkable comeback, driving the Chiefs to a tying field goal in the final seconds of regulation before connecting with Kelce for the winning touchdown in overtime during the divisional round.
Mahomes’ postseason dominance against the Bills includes completing 76% of his passes for 703 yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions, and a rushing touchdown in those two pivotal games.
As the Chiefs prepare to face the Bills in Buffalo, Mahomes emphasizes that their focus is not merely on ending the Bills’ season but on advancing to the next round. The game promises to be a challenging test for Mahomes and the Chiefs, and their ability to adapt to the unfamiliar playoff road environment will play a crucial role in their quest for postseason success.
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