Patrick Mahomes: The top 15 plays from 2018
By Matt Conner
15. 3-and-long Conversion to Kelce
The Raiders do everything right here and Mahomes still makes a play. It’s ridiculous. The level of difficulty on this throw is 💯! Running to his left, parallel to the line of scrimmage and fires this rocket to Kelce. Awesome. pic.twitter.com/fajyF7JHso
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) December 4, 2018
Setting: Week 13 @ Oakland Raiders
Mahomes typically frustrates teams by making something-from-nothing in scenarios just like this. Travis Kelce deserves credit for knowing exactly what’s needed for a first down here, but on third and long, the Raiders have to be very frustrated by Mahomes’ ability to keep this play alive.
14. Anthony Sherman Frustrates Jags
Mahomes is so cold-blooded on 3rd downs. There's no defending this. Man in his face, the coverage is there, he goes to Sherman so it's not like you can predict where the throw might be... pic.twitter.com/Ok1LQYhUGI
— Seth Keysor (@RealMNchiefsfan) October 8, 2018
Setting: Week 5 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
What more can a defense do here? The pass rush is effective. Mahomes has to hurry. The coverage is air-tight. Mahomes is even forced to throw to the fullback. It’s third down. Somehow Anthony Sherman displays his Julio Jones hands and converts this incredible play. Only Mahomes can put the ball there that instinctively.
13. Season-opening Strike to Tyreek
He's GONE. AGAIN!
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
You're really not going to stop the @cheetah.
📺: CBS #ChiefsKingdom #Kickoff2018 https://t.co/lz5ty7RMEV
Setting: Week 1 @ L.A. Chargers
Mahomes showed how special he was early in the first game of the year when his cannon of an arm delivered this instant strike after a run fake to hit Hill in stride. While Hill’s speed does the heavy lifting here to make it a touchdown, it’s Mahomes’ special combination of vision and arm strength that allows him to maintain full speed through his entire route.
12. Nice Touch to Sherman
Setting: Week 1 @ L.A. Chargers
So much is made about Mahomes’ cannon of an arm, but it’s always about the necessary arm strength. He just has a much greater range than most quarterbacks. Here he shows NFL fans that he’s got the touch needed to simply arc a pass over defenders if necessary. Here Anthony Sherman is the lucky recipient, a symbol that Mahomes will find anyone for the score.
11. Conley on the Run
That throw.
— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2018
That catch.
THIS GAME.@Chiefs answer back to tie it before halftime! #ChiefsKingdom
📺: #KCvsLAR on ESPN https://t.co/yEwaAaVnj0
Setting: Week 11 @ L.A. Rams
A theme that emerged throughout the season was that no play is ever dead until the whistle blows. Mahomes looks like he will run the ball here toward the goal line when suddenly he rears back to find Conley on the run across the end zone for a beautiful pass and catch. Credit to Conley for a great grab.