The Kansas City Chiefs have started off with a record of 4-0, and once again, they look like the team that will win the Super Bowl.
Anytime the Chiefs look like they will lose a game, somebody on the team finds a way to make a big-time play on either side of the ball. Their star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, has not looked like himself through the first four weeks.
Mahomes has only thrown for six touchdowns and five interceptions, which is one below the league leaders. This week, one major media outlet picked Mahomes to become the NFL leader in interceptions thrown through the first five weeks.
Patrick Mahomes Will Have The Most Interceptions In The NFL Sep 29, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
USA Today published an article titled NFL Week 5 Bold Predictions: Which Players and Teams Will Surprise the Most? He has Mahomes throwing a few interceptions this weekend against the New Orleans Saints, which will give him the league lead, but Kansas City still finds a way to win.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz stated
While Mahomes’ run of five interceptions in his first four games – including at least one in each contest – has involved some bad luck, there’s little question that the two-time MVP is pressing. That problem could only get worse with top target Rashee Rice out and defenses likely to continue blanketing Travis Kelce.
Monday’s matchup against the Saints could provide a solid indication of just how far Mahomes is willing to stray from the more discerning style he has employed at a time when defenses dare him to be more patient and try to deny him anything deep. While New Orleans’ defense hasn’t been suffocating, it has managed to allow the sixth-fewest points thanks to the stingiest performance in the red zone, where the unit has allowed a touchdown on just 22.2% of its drives.
If the Chiefs fall in an early hole or get off schedule, they could face trouble against a unit that has already corralled six interceptions this season. That could prompt Mahomes into forcing the issue in certain spots, which might vault him into at least a tie with Will Levis – who is off this week – and Anthony Richardson for the NFL lead in interceptions.
Still, it’s too hard to pick against the undefeated two-time champs, especially with the defensive backing they enjoy. The Chiefs might escape unscathed, but it could be another close call.
Sep 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) returns to the sidelines after a play against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Even though Mahomes has been turning the ball over, it hasn’t affected the team at all, and it most likely won’t this week, but it will catch up to them at some point if it continues to happen.
Patrick Mahomes will reduce his turnovers soon, but his recent track record shows that he could have another off night this week, leading him down another bad road: turning the ball over.