Nine things every fan should know about the Chiefs and Ravens
Mahomes’ biggest challenge yet
Patrick Mahomes had an insane year debuting as the Chiefs starting quarterback. He broke countless franchise and league records en route to 50 touchdowns and over 5,000 yards, becoming only the second quarterback in the history of the NFL to pull off that feat. It was one of the greatest seasons anyone has had at any position, in any sport.
There was a real question as to whether he could continue this jaw-breaking pace into his second year, or whether the off-season would produce two things: complacency by Mahomes and defensive coordinators and film junkies creating strategies to stop him. I hate to be the bearer of bad news for the rest of the league, but so far neither of those things seem to have happened.
Mahomes actually looks like he’s quite a bit better. In his first two games this season, he is completing nearly 72 percent of his passes for 821 yards and 7 touchdowns. That’s not including a botched no-look pass that was an easy touchdown vs. the Jaguars and a 72-yard touchdown that was called back because of a questionable hold vs. the Raiders.
Some might say he hasn’t played anybody yet. Yes, the two teams weren’t playoff teams last season. However, consider this. In 2018 the Jacksonville Jaguars were 7th against the pass and the Raiders were 14th against the pass. Both revamped this off-season and look to be even better.
They might not be juggernauts but these were both solid to great passing defenses last season and Mahomes absolutely torched them both. In particular, the Jaguars only allowed 15.7 points per game at home last season. On a bad ankle, missing his top weapon, against a group of defenders that were angry and seemingly wanted to hurt the Chiefs players, he dropped 40 points.
Here’s another thing. I mentioned before that the Raiders were a good passing defense last season. Good, not great, but improving. They attempted to press the Chiefs like the Patriots did in the AFC Championship game and Mahomes unleashed throws that I’m not sure I’ve seen him make to this point. The back shoulder throws he started going to were perfectly placed. It was something to watch.
All this to say, he looks like he’s improving. Can he keep this pace up and break his own personal records from last season? We’ll see, but at this point he’s the heavy favorite to repeat as the NFL’s MVP and I’m starting to wonder if there’s actually a defense that can contain him if the offense is at full strength.
Injuries in the run game
If there’s one thing on offense I’m genuinely concerned about, it’s the running game. After being pretty productive against a good defensive front in the Jaguars, to the tune of 26 rushes and 113 yards, the running game seemed to fall flat on its face. Really flat.
I’m not sure I remember an output this poor, but the Chiefs rushed 22 times for a whopping 31 yards. For those keeping track, that’s 1.4 yards per carry. The run game was ugly from start to finish, and seemingly lost yards more often than not to put the offense in third and long situations more than once. It’s likely due in part to the loss of Eric Fisher early in the game, who now looks to miss four to six weeks with a groin injury.
It was just one game against a divisional rival who knows what the Chiefs like to do. It was also on the road in a hostile environment where the offensive line wasn’t at full strength. I’m not panicking in the slightest; it’s just something that needs to be improved. I believe Mahomes has the talent to strap the team to his back and beat anyone, but I’d rather have a little more balance because the odds are greater we can consistently win that way.
Unfortunately, Mahomes might have to shoulder the load again on Sunday with Damien Williams out and LeSean McCoy questionable.