Kansas City Chiefs: Four bold predictions for the 2020 season

Patrick Mahomes will win a second MVP award

Patrick Mahomes had an absolutely electrifying 2018 campaign, the likes of which has only been matched one other time by Peyton Manning in 2013. His 2019 season was marred with injuries and, while still spectacular in its own right, lacked a certain Mahomes-ian quality. All that changed starting in the second quarter of the AFC Divisional Round against the Houston Texans.

From roughly the 10-minute mark in the second quarter, Mahomes went on an absolute tear reminiscent of his 2018 exploits. Against three playoff teams, including two in the midst of incredible runs of their own, Mahomes amassed 1,036 yards and 12 touchdowns to only 2 interceptions. This is the Mahomes everyone expected coming into 2019. Healthy, aggressive, and precise.

Let’s put some context around these numbers. On a per-game basis, Mahomes was adding 345 yards, 4 touchdowns and only .67 turnovers. If we extrapolate that over a 16 game season we’re looking at 5,525 yards, 64 total touchdowns and only 11 turnovers.

Obviously, I’m not predicting this type of stat line for Mahomes next season. Still, this shows plainly what an incredible three-game stretch Mahomes had in the 2019 playoffs. There are many in the national media that seem to forget the level of ability Mahomes as they fawn over other quarterbacks.

Even more compelling is the idea that Mahomes cast is better this season. Tyreek Hill, who is in some analysts’ minds the best receiver in the league, claims to have turned a corner in his already ridiculous conditioning. Mecole Hardman is entering his second season in Andy Reid’s system, something that almost universally pays dividends.

Sammy Watkins has a chip on his shoulder this season, and all signs point to an increased role for him in this year’s offense. If his performance as the focal point against the Jacksonville Jaguars in week one last season is any indication, he has all the talent to push for a Pro Bowl season.

I already addressed the addition of Edwards-Helaire, which should help the offense maintain a level closer to their playoff run, and everyone knows how deadly Travis Kelce has been on the opposite end of Mahomes the last two seasons.

Then, there’s Mahomes’ own mentality. The best player in the NFL was just voted the third best quarterback in the league by his peers. The NFL’s Top 100 is put to a vote in the regular season, so this is not as shocking as some may think. Both Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson had objectively better regular seasons, even though neither sniffed the greatness of Mahomes’ playoff run.

Even so, this is just the type of bulletin board material that can propel the best player in the game with one of the best supporting casts to another MVP season. Given his new contract actually incentivizes this, look for Mahomes’ 2020 to look closer to 2018 than 2019.