But Kansas City still has a dominant passing offense and a good passing defense, and that remains the best Super Bowl–winning formula in the modern NFL. The differences between the Chiefs’ play (and that of Patrick Mahomes) this season versus last are cosmetic at best. What I’m saying is: The Chiefs are about to release Red.
One of the key similarities between this year’s Chiefs and the 2018 group is the most important one—Mahomes is producing at a nearly identical rate to his MVP output.
In 2018, Mahomes completed 66 percent of his passes, had a passer rating of 113.8, threw for 319 yards with 3.1 touchdowns and .8 interceptions, and ran for 17 yards on 3.8 rushing attempts with .1 rushing touchdowns per game.
So far in 2020, Mahomes has completed 67 percent of his passes, has a passer rating of 115.9, has thrown for 299 yards with 2.8 touchdowns and .1 interceptions, and run for 19 yards on 3.9 rushing attempts with .2 rushing touchdowns per game.
Mahomes’s yards per attempt are down, from 8.8 in 2018 to 8.2 so far this year. His adjusted yards per attempt, though, are basically identical: 9.58 in 2018 and 9.55 so far this year. What’s the difference? Adjusted yards per attempt factors in passing touchdowns and, critically, interceptions. Mahomes is on track to throw 44 touchdown passes this season, which is fewer than the 50 he threw in 2018, so that’s not what’s bringing his numbers up. The difference is that he’s thrown one—one—interception this season.
It’s just one variable, but it’s a good illustration of how limiting interceptions can balance out some decline in explosive plays and touchdowns.
It means the Chiefs’ offense can combine fewer big plays with fewer mistakes and be slightly less exciting, but just as good.
https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2020/1...0-afc-playoffs