Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs staying busy, adding ‘wrinkles’ during bye week
 

By Nate Taylor Jan 5, 2021

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes’ third trip to the postseason as a starter is already different from his previous two.

Mahomes, the Chiefs’ superstar quarterback, acknowledged Monday that the newest experience in his four-year career will be having at least a 20-day break before commanding the Chiefs’ potent offense during the team’s divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Sure, it’s true that Mahomes has never had to play in the NFL’s wild-card playoff round. But with the added rest this season, he believes his body will be in peak condition when the Chiefs begin their much-anticipated playoff run, the next step in their “Run It Back” campaign to repeat as Super Bowl champions. Such was not the case in 2018, when he noticed the cumulative impact of being a first-time starter. Last season, Mahomes was more prepared for the demands of playing in the intense-filled postseason, but he was still aware that he returned from a dislocated right kneecap just a few months earlier.

This time, Mahomes expects the physical and mental break from the bye week to rejuvenate him and his teammates to perform their best and advance to their third consecutive AFC Championship Game.

“We had some battles there at the end of the (regular) season,” Mahomes said Monday. “Games like the Saints, the Bucs — and even the Falcons — were physical games. For us to be able to get back healthy, get everybody back to 100 percent, I think we’ll be able to utilize our speed and our power and really have the best Kansas City Chiefs team that you’ve seen since kind of the beginning of the year.”
Coach Andy Reid was able to successfully rest 20 of the Chiefs’ most prominent players Sunday in the regular season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, who beat Kansas City, 38-21. The team’s practices last week allowed Mahomes to tinker and experiment — which he did during training camp and during his rookie season as the backup — while 13-year veteran Chad Henne took most of the repetitions. Mahomes put most of his ideas on the whiteboards inside the training facility, which surprised Reid and the assistant coaches.

“I drew up, like, 25 plays,” Mahomes said, smiling. “I was just sitting there, drawing up plays forever. Hopefully I can get a few of them in and we can have a few touchdowns in the postseason.”

The Chiefs’ offense, of course, is known for its innovative creativity. Reid often develops a few misdirection plays during the regular season that are not revealed until a critical moment in the postseason, the most notable being the “Shift to Rose Bowl Right Parade” play in the Chiefs’ victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl. An educated observer could say that a few of the plays that Mahomes designed since his last game, a win over the Falcons on Dec. 27, are likely to be featured in the red zone.
In the victory over the Panthers, Mahomes executed one of his designed misdirection plays — “Ferrari Right,” a nod to his nickname from ESPN color analyst Louis Riddick — to perfection. Mahomes started the play by motioning to the right before running to the left and catching the snap from center Austin Reiter on what appeared to be a rollout to the left of the formation. But Mahomes spun back to the right and threw a quick 1-yard touchdown pass to receiver Demarcus Robinson in the back of the end zone.

Another play from Mahomes’ mind was supposed to lead him catching a 1-yard touchdown pass from star tight end Travis Kelce. Once again, Mahomes did his pre-snap motion before receiving the ball from Reiter. Mahomes then gave the ball to star receiver Tyreek Hill to give the Bucs the impression the Chiefs were running a traditional reverse play. But Hill gave the ball to Kelce on a double-reverse, who was to execute the short pass to Mahomes. Kelce, though, hesitated to throw the ball to an open Mahomes, which led to the pass being deflected by cornerback Carlton Davis.

Mahomes didn’t reveal any specifics of his newest plays, but Reid acknowledged that the Chiefs’ offense is expected to run the most advanced concepts within the immense playbook.
“Your base set of plays are relatively the same, but you always have a few little extra wrinkles in there,” Reid said. “You take the base fundamentals of the offense and then you work around that. You can work in some things that maybe you worked on in camp that you’ve just kind of put aside.”

The Chiefs will return to their facility Thursday, when players will focus on maintaining their conditioning prior to practicing their game plan next week for their upcoming opponent. Reid said Sunday that Joe Bleymaier, the team’s pass game analyst, is building advanced scouting reports on each team’s defense before this weekend’s games. Terry Bradden and Alex Whittingham, the team’s defensive quality control assistants, are tasked with the scouting reports on each team’s offense.

Tyrann Mathieu, the star strong safety, plans to watch all three AFC playoff games to help prepare himself for the challenges the Chiefs’ defense will encounter. Throughout the past week, Mathieu has been scouting himself and the rest of the unit, watching film of their play this season in an effort to improve techniques and pre-snap communication. Following Sunday’s game, Mathieu sent text messages to his defensive teammates. As one of the Chiefs’ leaders, Mathieu wanted to motivate his fellow players, suggesting that every practice repetition next week will have great value.
“Trying to find ways that I can get better and create an impact in a game, giving those guys nuggets,” Mathieu said. “That’s really what I’ve been doing that’s extra, trying to find any way that we can get better and really create some momentum going into the postseason.”

Similar to Mathieu, Mahomes has thought about the entire offense and how that unit can exceed expectations in the divisional round game, especially after the Chiefs’ starters scored a season-low 17 points against the Falcons. Mahomes has done more workout sessions the past few days than he would during the week leading up to a game. Kelce and Hill ran routes and caught passes from Mahomes on Sunday during the Chiefs’ pregame drills. And Mahomes has thought about the Chiefs’ offensive line.
In front of Mahomes this season, during his 15 starts, were six different offensive line combinations. Injuries, of course, have played a major role. Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz hasn’t played since the middle of October because of a back injury. Left Tackle Eric Fisher and backup right tackle Mike Remmers have played through their own back injuries, while Reiter has been bothered by a sore knee. Mahomes has faith his linemen will play better after their rest to execute their challenging duties, such as the tackles often being in one-on-one matchups against edge pass rushers and the entire group pass protecting longer than the usual for the Chiefs to complete deep passes. Proper discipline with dropbacks and correct protection calls against the blitz, Mahomes said, should lead to him facing less pressure. In his previous three starts, Mahomes was hit a combined 16 times, the most in a three-game stretch this season.

“We ask them to do a lot of different things that not a lot of teams do,” Mahomes said of his linemen. “It usually helps us out a ton. Having a game like the Falcons game, it teaches us that we need to make sure that we’re clear and definitive with what we’re calling and what we’re trying to ask them to do to put them in position to succeed.”

The idea the rested Chiefs could start their divisional round game rusty is a concern, but just a small one for Reid, who expressed trust in his veterans. Last season, the Chiefs became the first champion to rally to win each postseason game after trailing by 10 or more points. Their greatest feat was responding from a 24-0 deficit against the Texans — in the divisional round — by scoring a touchdown on seven consecutive drives.

Reid thinks the Chiefs’ path toward another championship will be harder than it was a year ago. He urged his players Monday to utilize their bye week to aid in elevating their performance. But he reminded the Chiefs they can’t become too emotional.
“You have to be able to take it up another notch without getting so tied into that that you can’t completely function,” Reid said. “Sometimes you can try so hard that everything goes the opposite way.”

Mahomes’ response to Reid’s words was to reference the Chiefs’ positive results this season against playoff teams. The Chiefs won all four games and were victorious by an average margin of 7.2 points. Improved health from rest, new offensive plays to unleash and studious defense has Mahomes confident the Chiefs can have their best performance of the season next weekend.

“If you watched us throughout the season, it feels like we always raised up and played better in the big games,” Mahomes said. “Knowing that the next (potential) three are going to be big games, I know I’m going to get the best effort out of every single guy on this team and we’re going to raise our game to be even better. I’m excited for it because I know what this team can do. It can be a special run.”

The rest of the article, with the vids on the Athletic here:
https://theathletic.com/2304679/2021...rce=dailyemail

These guys are like lab rats. This is going to be awesome.

Looking forward to some trickery.*

* preferably after we have a 21 point lead.

I don't want to see anyone other than Mahomes throwing the football.

Couple things stood out..

Terry Bradden and Alex Whittingham, the team’s defensive quality control assistants, are tasked with the scouting reports on each team’s offense.

One of these guys is going to be a star. Chiefs defensive prep has been a team that rolled out correct gameplans for Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Deshaun Watson.

“If you watched us throughout the season, it feels like we always raised up and played better in the big games,” Mahomes said. “Knowing that the next (potential) three are going to be big games, I know I’m going to get the best effort out of every single guy on this team and we’re going to raise our game to be even better. I’m excited for it because I know what this team can do. It can be a special run.”

Yes, this team can be frustrating to watch in season because of this. Thankfully all of these games are huge now.

:bravo:

Just don't throw any passes to Patrick.

Is it just me, or has our defense stepped way up when playing these "dual threat" QB's this year? We held Josh Allen to 122 yards passing in his own stadium, and we nullified Lamar's playmaking ability.

Especially when he has to turn into a defensive back to try and break up the pass. You'd think Kelce and Watkins would have picked up a few pointers watching Mahomes do his thing - their QB ratings are in the toilet. Embarrassing!

In this iteration of the Chiefs ...

And if I'm not mistaken ...

I think our non-quarterbacks are 0 for 5 on passing attempts at this point.

With 3 picks and a sack.

FAX

Can't wait to see what kinda gorgeous trickery they've got up those wizard sleeves

Here's a trick play. On a 4th and 1 or on the goal line, load up the line, give it to the RB, and pound it in.

I'm so here for the rest of the stuff too.

Ummm **** no, if they are on the goal line and it's 4th down, then Patrick Mahomes better have a chance to throw it. PMII must have the opportunity to make a play in those situations. He's the greatest player ever and to take it out of his hands in those situations doesn't give us the best chance to win. Plus I don't trust our line to get any push whatsoever.

Yep.

Run it on 2nd and 1. Run it on 3rd and 1. Never run it on 4th and 1.

Here's to hoping that the Chiefs make it to the AFC Championship game.

Really want the Bills to play them.

I'm worried that Baltimore takes the Chiefs out before then.

Er, what?

Mahomes is amazing, but greatest player ever? :spock:

What makes you think the Bills will get the opportunity to come to Arrowhead?
Homer much?

This is going to be a long two weeks... I can’t wait to watch this team play again...

True. But I will enjoy this weekend of football very much! Lots of interesting matchups and we can self-scout for our next opponent.

Even better knowing these teams are beating the shit out of each other while we get more rested, refreshed, and healthy.

Because of this guy.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JOSH ALLEN NO LOOK TOUCHDOWN HOLY MF I CANT BREATHE <a href="https://t.co/0clH1EWTPn">pic.twitter.com/0clH1EWTPn</a></p>&mdash; shik (@dirtyshik809) <a href="https://twitter.com/dirtyshik809/status/1345877348395192320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

We've beaten them three times in a row, and the last two times it wasn't particularly close.

What planet do you live on man?

LMAO

That’s not a no look pass.. He was looking at him..

I remember him which is surprising based upon his more than forgettable performance vs the Chiefs. It seems you have forgotten it.
I know the Bills are always struggling to do things like other better runs teams, but surely there is a bulletin board for even them. Perhaps you’d be better off spending your time at one of them?

BTW - I’ve been thinking about selling folding tables in Buffalo, can I interest you in a weekly order to replenish your losses? I suspect you’d be interested in a 17 week plan each season?

You should be hoping that the Bills survive the wildcard round.

I feel like we’ve thrown it on every 4th and 1. If we ran it straight up the gut it would probably catch everyone off guard!

Jesus, can't I open one thread without this spaz spamming everything with Bills crap? We get it, you like the Bills, go tell some other playoff team on their message board. Nobody here likes you.

He was literally looking the complete opposite way haha.

ME TOO RIGHT GUYS!? RIGHT?!


LMAO

He was looking at the receiver who ran across the field. You can see his eyes track him the whole way.

Jesus. This guy stinks.

Woah, it's like they were holding back a bit... what a concept never before talked about here!

LMAO

Past performance is only relevant to him when it comes to the Bills win streak. Don’t you know?!

If ya'll want this thread turned into more Bills spam, by all means, some of you are obsessed... but, if not, I'm happy to help!

That Bills Einstein guy scoffed at the notion that the Chiefs were just toying with other teams in the regular season..... That statement above is exactly the reason why I made that claim in the first place.

This team's focus to not just beat, but completely annihilate any and all close competition is uncanny.....

I mean, every year, there are big games and even the good to great teams drop them (along with a couple head scratchers along the way).....this team had one head-scratcher they lost (Raiders), but beat the crap out of the "primo" teams, pretty handily for the most part

They are beyond ready to make this run from a mental standpoint, and this rest is allowing them to physically be prepared to run it back

It's an exciting time for sure....

He wasn't.

But if that makes you feel better, then sure.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/BuffaloBills?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BuffaloBills</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshAllenQB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoshAllenQB</a> to <a href="https://twitter.com/_IsaiahMcKenzie?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_IsaiahMcKenzie</a> for TD #36. Part “no look” part extreme anticipation. The QB has it all and now a new definition takes place in the Post Season. Does he also have the “Big Game” Genes? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BillsMafia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BillsMafia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BaldysBreakdowns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BaldysBreakdowns</a> <a href="https://t.co/jtqgx6fjrj">pic.twitter.com/jtqgx6fjrj</a></p>&mdash; Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/BaldyNFL/status/1345917466720002048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Don’t see any comments to the fact this is a no-look pass. Josh Allen is ridiculous. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MVP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MVP</a> <a href="https://t.co/KJAB5fgODC">https://t.co/KJAB5fgODC</a></p>&mdash; Jason Solowski (@JasonSolowski) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonSolowski/status/1345812782428672001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I see our 5* Try Hard Troll is back to work. He's sooooo damn cute!

If mods don't want me on the forum, feel free to ask me to leave. You wouldn't even need to ban me, as I don't stay where mods don't want me.

Doubt any of us care.. you're not the first rival fan to show up and won't be the last.... and it's clearly a slow week.

However, you're clearly baiting people with the whole "Ravens might beat them, but the Bills will be there" stuff, that has absolutely nothing to do with the topic of this thread.... just like baiting people with the Tyreek Hill stuff last night.

There's no reason to hijack this topic when there's the weeks old Steelers/Bills thread and probably others.

Stay on topic and there's no issue.

I really wasn't baiting.

I had no darn clue that Hill was such a sensitive subject around here. That totally shocked me.

Mods around here seem to let literally everything go. Cursing, saying someone should literally die, telling someone to go fck themselves, etc, but bring up Tyreek Hill and apparently that is crossing the line.

Who knew?

Not me.

PS, my honest fear is that somehow Baltimore beats KC. I dont want that to happen because I want to see a KC-Bills AFCCCG.

Your own team has to win two playoff games before it can even become a possibility. Something they haven’t done once since what, 1995?

Worry about them FFS.

My honest fear is that the Bills get beaten so badly on Saturday by the Colts that you decide to fold your shitty Franchise and we'll never get the chance to experience beating a Josh Allen lead Bills team again. It was so much fun the first time....

I'd be more concerned about my own team, that has zero history of recent playoff success, being able to stave off two playoff teams. I believe the only afc playoff team the bills beat this year was pitt.

Whittingham is about 30-32 years old and is said to be a defensive wizard. Dad is a coach too who knew Reid apparently and that's how Whittingham came to KC after being a coach in collage.

I did offer daquix a good deal on 17 weeks worth of folding tables each year. I guess he missed the fact that this all he will yet again need. I remember the “one and done” years in the playoffs. I don’t miss them.

Thanks a lot “BigRedChief”... Now I can’t leave my desk because of my big red erection. :) Nice post!

The planet where the Bills have two byes and don't play again until the AFCCG.

LMAO

You're definitely not wanted. Care to put it to a vote?

Stop spamming Bills shit in a thread that has nothing to do with them.

Tyreek Hill is awful too. I wonder if Bell can pass?

I’d like to see Williams in goal line.

https://media2.giphy.com/media/AB3ojQVBPiLJu/giphy.gif

Pause is your friend. Looking right at him.

Attachment 121757

The playoff choker.

https://media2.giphy.com/media/573pvQ0lf39rq/giphy.gif

Mahomes is my favorite football player...

Drink bleach, dick breath.

It isn't a sensitive subject.

It's a DEAD subject.

Multiple sources have come to light since the child abuse incident happened that not only prove that he never abused his child but that he plead guilty to assaulting Espinal because he was stuck and it was his only way to go on with his football career. Lots of people plead guilty to lesser charges to avoid a trial because there's no guarantee a jury will see things clearly.

Seriously...could the mods please take out the trash?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We have the best offense the world has ever seen.

Going to be a lot of fun watching what Reid and Patrick have come up with over the next three games.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Oh wait, you’re serious.

Getting banned from two separate threads didn’t give you the hint?

If you could pick any player in the prime of their career, who would it be? Any answer other than Mahomes is wrong.

Awesome, I hope this guy stays around for a while! Maybe get the linebacker coaching job and then we can promote to DC once Spags decides to retire.

That right there is what I think happened to the offense last season against HOU in the Divisional Round. I don't think they came out flat as much as they were so over-excited that they were trying to run with the ball before they had secured it. It's a common failing with young teams that get into the playoffs for the first or second time, particularly if they lost in the playoffs the season before.

This season I expect it to be very different, as we ended up signing 20(?) of the 22 starters from last season's playoff run. They won't have those jitters, and they're will be enough of them on the field that the newer guys will have those vets to lean on early in the game.

So while I do expect this playoff run to be more difficult in some ways than last season's, I have no doubt that KC will win their way into yet another SB because they've had the experience of having to mount multiple comebacks last season.

If the mods vote to have me not here, i’ll never post again.

I heard what I heard with my own two ears.

On audio tape.

There is no taking that back.

But again, let’s not talk about Hill, it’s the one thing that mods don’t allow.

Brady.

Without a second thought.

If Mahomes keeps doing what he’s doing over a decade, then the answer will switch to Mahomes.

But after only 1 Super Bowl, Mahomes can’t hold Brady’s jock (yet).

You heard the EDITED version. Fool.

And Josh Allen CHOAKS on his.

I tried to enlighten you, and you wouldn't listen. And then I tried to warn you, and ditto.

You need to shut the eff up about things you obviously know almost nothing about.

I listened to all 11 minutes. He said it.

Back to talking football.

Flush this turd

You're obviously not thinking this through. If you take Brady, you have to have a great top-5 defense, a top-5 OL, a top-10 rushing offense, and a pair of top-10 between-the-numbers receivers, at a minimum to win championships. The minute you don't have one of those things, Brady's effectiveness drops off.

With Mahomes, all you need is a middle-of-the-road defense at best, a middling OL, an average running game, and at least two top-10 receiving threats to win championships. Lose one of these things and Mahomes will still get into the playoffs and has a better than even chance of getting to a SB.

There's no real comparison between the two in terms of potential. Mahomes is clearly the better choice to build a team around for a SB run.

That may be true some of Brady’s SB’s, but not all of them. It’s not like Brady was winning every Super Bowl 13-10.

He scored 28+ points in at least 3 of his last 5 Super Bowl’s.

Potential? Sure, Mahomes has the potential to be greater than Brady.

But as YOU say with Allen, until he shows it over time, you can’t say it.

Until Mahomes shows that he can do it for a decade, you can’t take him over Brady.

There is a reason why Brady is widely considered the GOAT.

It’s SUSTAINED greatness.

I’m honestly shocked that Chiefs fans think Mahomes is in Brady’s league already (goat wise).

I wouldn’t put Mahomes in the top-10 all time yet.

I’m sure he’ll get there though. It takes time.

Again, you're not thinking this through.

Brady had a top-5 defense nearly every SB season. ditto a top-5 OL, running game, and a pair of top-10 receivers between the numbers. Whenever he didn't have one of those things in his back pocket, he lost or didn't make it to the SB. Heck, if he didn't have a bye week he lost.

Mahomes has proven already that he doesn't need all of that. He barely needs a defense. or a running game. Give him a NFL average OL and a couple of top-tier receivers and he will get you into the playoffs, with a better than even chance to go to the SB.

And greatness is about accomplishments, which I was never talking about. Brady obviously is the most accomplished QB ever, which speaks to his greatness.

But he's never been the best QB. He's immobile, has never had more than a slightly better than average arm either in strength or arm talent. He's the epitome of a system QB. Once he has to improv though, he's less than average.

And the question wasn't who is the greatest QB, but who is the best QB to take you to a SB or something like that. The question is all about potential, not what a QB has already done.

And under those constraints, there's no other choice but Patrick Mahomes II. Give him two really good receivers and average everything else and he'll put you in position to win championships. Brady never did anything like that.

One of the many things that make Mahomes special. Not only does he execute the full Reid playbook flawlessly, but he adds to it with his own plays which many times work.

Seriously this thread has nothing to do with the Bills or Allen. How about you stay out of it if you can't provide anything than your recycled inputs.

Ok.

Not only that. I’d take Russ over Brady as well. Russ can do more with less.

Correct. Brady only lets children hold his jock

Cmon now, we shouldn't be hating on the Bills. Afterall, they were kind enough to trade their 10th overall pick and gift us the GOAT. The Bills should always be viewed positively as a result. They can drool over a lesser talent in Allen because that fanbase deserves something to hang on to after so much torment and beating they have had to endure at the hands of their daddy, New England. It's only fair.

He pretends to fake...
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