Mahomes, Kelce and Hill prove again why they’re the NFL’s best trio

The K.C. Chiefs are coming off a dramatic comeback win to open up the 2021 season. After a lackluster offensive showing in the Super Bowl, the Chiefs offense had a lot to prove coming into Week 1.

The Chiefs offense did get off to a very slow start. Baker Mayfield was outplaying Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs trailed 22-10 in the first half and were down by nine points with 10:24 left to go in the game. That is when Kansas City’s leaders stepped up.

Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill proved once again why they’re the NFL’s best trio.

Following Cleveland’s touchdown in the fourth quarter to go up by nine with 10:24 to go in the game, Mahomes pulled off a one-play touchdown drive. Mahomes, while under pressure near the sidelines, connected on a 75-yard catch-and-run touchdown play to Tyreek Hill to cut the deficit to two points. Hill finished the game with 11 catches for 197 yards. Hill leads all NFL players in receiving yards and has the second most receptions in Week 1 behind Dallas Cowboys WR Amari Cooper, who had 13 catches on Thursday in the NFL’s opening game.

Travis Kelce was heavily involved in the second half to help the Chiefs rally and win. After trailing 22-10 at halftime, the Chiefs put together an impressive 14-play drive for 75 yards, ending with an 11-yard touchdown catch to Kelce to open up the second half. Kelce found the end zone again midway through the fourth quarter on an eight-yard pass to give the Chiefs their first lead of the game, which ended up being the game-winning touchdown. Kelce is one of 10 players in Week 1 to catch two touchdowns.

This is obviously no surprise to anybody. Kelce and Hill both finished in the top 10 in receiving yards and both were in the top five in touchdown catches in 2020.

Mahomes was no different either. He did what he does best on the field. His most impressive play came in the second quarter on a second-and-goal play at the 5-yard line when he evaded Browns defensive end Takkarist McKinley at the 18-yard line, pumped fake while running to throw off two Browns defenders, and capped it off with a run to the end zone. Rookie right guard Trey Smith had a big hand in that when he came up with a big block to open a path for Mahomes. Mahomes was responsible for all four touchdowns in Sunday’s win.

Mahomes has also been invincible in September. In 11 career September starts, Mahomes is 11-0 and has thrown 35 touchdowns and no interceptions.

Mahomes proved why he is the best quarterback in the NFL. Kelce proved why he is the best tight end in the NFL. Hill proved why he is the best wide receiver in the NFL. Mahomes, Kelce and Hill proved why they are the best quarterback-tight end-wide receiver trio in the NFL.

Mahomes’ offensive line was far from perfect in this game. But it was also a step up from the Super Bowl. With the offensive line expected to improve, it can only be good news for the best trio in the NFL, and bad news for the 31 other defensive coordinators who have to form a game plan against this offense.