Three bold predictions for the 2019 Chiefs season

2. Patrick Mahomes will break the touchdown record

Patrick Mahomes threw for 5000 yards and 50 touchdowns in his first full season as a starter. Since then, he has only gotten better and the Chiefs’ offense has only gotten more dangerous.

A bet against Patrick Mahomes would be ill-advised. The speculation and hopes of regression for Patrick Mahomes are poorly placed, as the only news from the offseason and training camp concerning the young MVP has been how much better he has looked compared to last season.

No amount of film and no amount of experience can really prepare a defense for a player who can throw near perfect passes across his body, while jumping, out of a sprint.

So what should fans be expecting from Mahomes in 2019? With more weapons on offense in LeSean McCoy and Mecole Hardman, how much higher can Mahomes go? To answer that question, you have to look to the sides of the ball Mahomes does not play: defense and special teams.

K.C. has one of the best special teams units in the league. Players who are speedy and evasive shorten the field for the offense, and often even keep the offense off the field, by scoring themselves. With Tremon Smith, Hardman, the returning De’Anthony Thomas, and the ever-dangerous Tyreek Hill all set to return, the Chiefs look to be one of the best special teams units in the league again.

Ideally, the special teams unit wants to return punts, not kicks, because they have more potential to break open, so it is up to the defense to force punts, and not kickoffs. The defense should be better in 2019, which means the fields are going to be consistently short for the offense.

This sets Patrick Mahomes up to have a monster season when it comes to scoring touchdowns. Last season, K.C. started many if not most of their drives on the 25-yard line and Mahomes still put up 50 touchdowns. With a defense that looks like it can get off the field with more success, the Chiefs should be able to hand Mahomes the ball in enemy territory more often.

With so many weapons to choose from, and one of the best coaches in the NFL calling the plays, Mahomes should even break the record for most touchdowns in a single season. All it takes is 55 total—which is only five more than he threw last season.