After congratulating quarterback Bo Nix after the Broncos’ last-second victory, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes retreated alone without making any statements before entering the visiting locker room at Empower Field. Once there, Mahomes remained silent. In the press conference, he took much of the responsibility for the Chiefs’ 22-19 defeat, a result that tied the team’s record at 5-5.
Mahomes explained that there are moments when the team advances with ease, but also moments when he misses a throw or a protection call. During Sunday’s game, Mahomes failed to get into a rhythm against the Broncos’ defense.I think we have a lot of talent and a lot of great players, but it’s about being more consistent. I think it starts with me.
Patrick Mahomes
A clear example was in the Chiefs’ first offensive series, where Mahomes missed two long passes to the speedy receivers Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton, who were open.
The pass to Worthy was off by 3 yards. Had it connected, Worthy could have scored on a 61-yard reception.Before the game, the Chiefs hoped that a win after their bye week would help them catch the Broncos (9-2) and keep alive their hopes for a tenth consecutive AFC West title. However, they now only have a 10% chance of winning the division. The Chiefs are no longer the favorites to win the AFC West. Their odds of +500 are the highest since 2015, two years before Mahomes joined the team.I just have to make the throw. There’s no other way. The play was designed for tight end Travis Kelce, and I think Travis was wide open, but you have these alerts in your plays and how safety Brandon Jones was with Xavier’s speed, I knew he was going to have a chance in the field. I just have to give him a chance. I missed that one.
Patrick Mahomes
Entering this season, of 989 teams in the Super Bowl era that started 5-5 or worse after 10 games, only 89 of those teams (9%) made the playoffs, and only two made it to the Super Bowl. The only team that won the Super Bowl was the 2001 New England Patriots, led by first-year starting quarterback Tom Brady.It’s going to be difficult to get back in the race for the division. The goal is to reach the playoffs and try to make a run. We have to learn from this as much as possible, knowing that we will face a great opponent [the Indianapolis Colts] next week.
Patrick Mahomes
A bad decision by Mahomes in the third quarter hampered the Chiefs’ chances of beating the Broncos. In the red zone, instead of throwing the ball out of bounds after running, which would have set up a short field goal for kicker Harrison Butker, Mahomes attempted a pass to running back Elijah Mitchell, but Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian intercepted it. In their next possession, the Broncos capitalized by scoring their only touchdown.It’s just a one-week mindset. Every week is getting to the point where it’s like a playoff week. We have to find a way to win one game at a time.
Nick Bolton
You can’t do it. I just didn’t throw it high enough. McMillian jumped and made a good play. I’ve made that throw before, but with the type of game we’re in, don’t put the ball in jeopardy. Take the three points and move on to the next possession.
Patrick Mahomes
The only difference on Sunday compared to the Chiefs’ previous four losses was that Mahomes was given the ball with four minutes remaining and the opportunity to lead a winning drive. But they never achieved a first down or a yard. Mahomes’ last play, on third and ten, ended with a sack by McMillian. That’s what you want, you want that opportunity at the end of the game. I didn’t make it. I’ve been in that situation before. You get that first first down, it puts us in the driver’s seat. I didn’t find it there, and they made a good blitz on that third down. I didn’t get many opportunities.When you play against good teams, whether it’s me making a call or the players playing, you have to do the right thing. You put the guys in the right position, and then the guys have to make plays when given the opportunity. That’s on both sides of the ball.
Andy Reid
