Can the Chiefs proceed to rely so closely on QB Patrick Mahomes? – Kansas Metropolis Chiefs Weblog

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Patrick Mahomes entered a brand new dimension of his professional profession within the fourth quarter of Sunday night time’s recreation in opposition to the Tennessee Titans.

Mahomes threw his fifty fifth go of the sport, setting a profession excessive. He would throw 13 extra, together with 10 in additional time, giving him a complete of 68, which was third-most in NFL historical past.

The Chiefs wanted each a kind of to tug out a 20-17 victory in additional time.

“Now we all know if we want him to throw [68] passes we will get it achieved,’’ stated tight finish Travis Kelce, who caught 10 of Mahomes’ throws.

Mahomes additionally led the Chiefs in speeding yards, which isn’t a primary for him. However his 63 yards have been a profession excessive for the common season. He had 69 in final yr’s playoff win over the Buffalo Payments.

Mahomes scored the Chiefs’ remaining landing with 2:56 remaining within the fourth quarter after which tied the sport by working for the two-point conversion.

The Chiefs have hardly ever relied on Mahomes extra to win a recreation, however weren’t shocked he delivered.

“He’s Pat, and Pat’s going to be Pat,’’ stated broad receiver Mecole Hardman, who caught Mahomes’ solely landing go of the sport within the first quarter. “We will positively depend on him in these conditions.’’

Mahomes didn’t set a private file with 68 go makes an attempt. He threw 88 passes at Texas Tech in a 2016 recreation in opposition to Oklahoma, which is why Chiefs coach Andy Reid had no downside placing such a burden on Mahomes in opposition to the Titans.

“I’ve seen him do this in faculty just a few instances,’’ Reid stated.

Reid didn’t have a lot alternative. The Chiefs’ working recreation — outdoors of Mahomes — was dismal, with their 4 backs totaling 13 carries for 14 yards with a protracted of three yards.

“We need to attempt to get the run recreation going because the season goes on and sort of keep extra balanced, however that’s defensive position and so they have been doing job of stopping that,’’ Mahomes stated. “Coach Reid sort of put it in my palms to go on the market and attempt to make some stuff occur, and it appeared unhealthy there for about two and half quarters, three quarters, however we have been in a position to make it occur there on the finish.”

Mahomes made no single play greater than his 20-yard scramble on third-and-17 on the fourth-quarter landing drive. The Chiefs have been behind 17-9 and in desperation mode with time working out.

When Mahomes couldn’t discover an open receiver, he discovered one other approach to get the job achieved.

“I positively noticed a lane to get it shut sufficient that I believed we’d be capable to go for it,’’ Mahomes stated. “If you’re in that scenario you realize that if you may get it to a fourth-and-five, fourth-and-four, coach Reid’s most likely going to provide you an opportunity there . . .

“We simply battled on the finish of the day. It wasn’t like we have been designing it up. We have been simply going on the market and making an attempt to make some stuff occur.”

For that cause, Reid appeared extra glad after the Titans victory than another this season. The record of wins for the 6-2 Chiefs contains three street video games wherein they scored greater than 40 factors.

What the Tennessee win lacked in flash, it made up for in a will to win. A lot of that was provided by Mahomes, who was sacked 4 instances however wouldn’t let the Chiefs lose.

“All the things wasn’t easy,’’ Reid stated. “It was up and down. So that you’ve bought to persevere by way of that, the lows. After which any individual’s bought to step up and make a play. That’s what has to occur.”