Mahomes and the Chiefs to the Limit: “We have to win every game”
After another one-score loss to the Dallas Cowboys (31-28) on Thanksgiving Day, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes summed up the team’s difficult situation.With a 6-6 record and out of the AFC playoff race, the Chiefs’ chances of securing a postseason spot have diminished. Mahomes is aware that every game is essentially a final to keep playoff hopes alive. The Chiefs’ quarterback knows that the margin for error is minimal from now on. “We’re going to play against a lot of good teams,” Mahomes said. “If we’re going to make the playoffs, we’re going to have to win them all. That has to be the mindset when we enter the training facility upon returning.” The team got off to a good start in the game, with an interception by cornerback Jaylen Watson that set up a touchdown pass from Mahomes to Rashee Rice. Mahomes threw four touchdown passes and used his legs to escape pressure. However, it was the first time in the Mahomes era that the Chiefs lost a game in which their quarterback threw at least four touchdown passes without committing interceptions. Before this game, the Chiefs had a perfect record of 12-0 in such games. “We can beat anyone, but we’ve shown we can lose to anyone,” Mahomes admitted. “We have to be more consistent. We’ve had big plays and moments where we can score at any time, but we have to be consistent throughout the four quarters, especially when you play against good teams that have a good offense.” The Chiefs suffered setbacks with injuries to Jawaan Taylor and Josh Simmons, which affected the offense. Simmons, who suffered a dislocation and fracture in his left wrist, is expected to be out for an extended period. Mahomes had the support of Jaylon Moore and Wanya Morris on the offensive line, but the situation is complicated. “Let’s hope we can get some of these guys back and that they recover during this extended week we have,” Mahomes commented, referring to the 10 days of rest and recovery before receiving the Texans. The Chiefs’ defense struggled against the Cowboys’ offense. Quarterback Dak Prescott was not sacked and completed 11 of 14 attempts under pressure, the most in his career. The defense allowed a season-high nine third-down conversions, tying for the second-most in a regular-season game under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Cowboys receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens gave Chiefs defenders problems. “The attack and the coverage have to work together, and we have to find a way to get them off the field,” said defensive end George Karlaftis. “That depends on the defense. We have a few days off and we have to work hard now.” Once again, penalties were a disappointing factor in the defeat. The Chiefs committed 10 penalties for 119 yards, their most in a game since 2019.“We have to win every game now, and hope that’s enough,” Mahomes stated about the Chiefs’ attempt to reach the postseason with only five games remaining in the regular season.
Patrick Mahomes
“The bottom line is we’re getting too many penalties, and we have to make sure we take care of that,” said coach Andy Reid. “No excuses. We’ll work to fix it. The guys know it. They understand that we have to improve some things. We have to do better as coaches. We have to do better as players. We go back to the drawing board and keep working.”
Andy Reid
