Patrick Mahomes: Game Manager
 

So i re-watched the 2nd half last night just for grins.

And during the game I was just aggravated that we simply wouldn't push the ball. But on re-watch and after listening to the post-game, it's clear that this was Mahomes just going full Alex Smith out there.

He wasn't concerned anymore about scoring points. He (and Andy) were wholly content bleeding clock and leaning on their lead. He knew that if he just didn't make a mistake, the Ravens weren't going to come back and win it. So he took ZERO risks.

Contrast that with how he played on the first two drives. And hell, the throw he made on 3rd down when they had to have it. He HAD big plays. He HAD yards and probably points on the board. But he dialed that risk/reward calculus waaaaaaay down because he wanted to make sure there were zero mistakes.

And I think part of it was because he knew that if he needed to pick things back up, he could. He would. He was in complete command of the game and game script.

It was part of a continued evolution from Mahomes. If he needs to breath fire, he will. But when he doesn't need to, he knows how to just keep the game under control. He can be Rodgers OR he can be Brady.

He's a scary scary dude even when he isn't.

I just dont understand the thought process behind "not needing to."

This team should never be content. Too many games reach uncomfortable stages because we get content. The game was only ever 10 points of separation for 3 quarters. I can't imagine a world in which that little of a lead should ever be considered "enough."

Yesterday, I legitimately thought I was watching Tom Brady with how much control he had over the game. It was downright horrifying.

The Balt D didn’t stop us , we mostly took ok pity on them.

As soon as the game got within one score Mahomes did what he had to do.

I disagree a bit. It's a whole different gane if Zay doesn't fumble. We had PLENTY of chances to grow a good lead and just kept farting around. Reminded me of the Eagles game but Lamar simply wouldn't accept the gifted win.

I know this might piss people off but I feel like what I saw in the 2nd half was the early 2000's Patriots. Destroy them with defense, win the field position game (Tommy finically got one) and play efficient offense.

They made all the smart plays yesterday and killed the "MVP" QB

Sure, but even with the Zay TD, what DJ is saying is they'd have turned it back up.

I'd have liked to have put another TD on the board for sure, but at some point, you have to play the hand you get dealt.

Even before the game got to 1 score and Mahomes hit MVS to seal the game, the Chiefs had at least 2 opportunities to maintain a drive and put the game away but they went 3 and out. That isn't game management. This offense is just hurting. How many games did we see this year that looked a lot like last night but didnt have the other team fumbling at the 1 yard line and instead took the lead? Then when it was Mahomes' time to go and win it, the winning part didn't happen.

They were pretty backed up then, IIRC.

Agreed. Slow the game down when you're up three scores, but not when you're up by 10 coming out of halftime.

if you want a glimpse of what it could have looked like if we were overly aggressive, look no further than the lions. they didnt know when to take their foot off the gas, and there are times when you just need to do that. it cant always be go go go aggressive ball

I dunno if that was really the case though. They shoulda kicked the FG for sure, but you play your opponent. We all knew that Detroit D would eventually give up points.

Hopefully but it was a trend all season that we struggled in the 2nd half to score. Thankfully Lamar isn't who Ravens fans said he was.

When the game gets tight, they can remain relaxed. Instead of hero ball, running up the score. Then feeling stressed when things get a little out of hand. Cough...Ravens