Stat shows why Patrick Mahomes struggled in second half against Cincinnati Bengals

[bevischief]

https://atozsports.com/kansas-city/s...J0gcc6_oA0A2LQ

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a second half to forget this past Sunday in a 27-24 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Chiefs blew an 18 point lead against Cincinnati in part due to Mahomes’ uncharacteristically poor performance in the second half.

Mahomes’ quarterback rating (QBR) in the first half was 98.0. In the second half, it was 1.4.

That’s the biggest gap in a QBR in a game since 2006 (when QBR tracking began).

So what happened in the second half? What did the Bengals do to keep Mahomes from being his normal productive self?

According to Next Gen Stats, the Bengals made some second half adjustments in how they were defending Mahomes.

Cincinnati started dropping eight defenders in coverage more in the second half against the Chiefs.

And that caused Mahomes to struggle. Mahomes was 7-of-13 for just 59 yards and an interception against eight-plus defenders in coverage.

The Bengals dropped eight defenders into coverage on 24 percent of pass plays in the first half. In the second half, Cincinnati dropped eight on 45 percent of pass plays.

The Bengals essentially abandoned the pass rush in favor of clogging passing lanes (and eliminating sideline throws).

According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the Bengals didn’t blitz at all during the game (except for one five-man pressure inside the five-yard line).

From Bill Barnwell:

(Lou) Anarumo sent less pressure than virtually any team has sent at Mahomes in a game so far. Mahomes saw a total of 45 three-man rushes this season, or an average of about 2.4 three-man rushes per contest. The Bengals sent three-man rushes after Mahomes 15 times on Sunday, 10 of which came after halftime. Despite the idea that Mahomes would just pick those coverages apart and eventually find an open receiver, I found that those 15 plays produced only 38 net yards.

Mahomes and the Chiefs really just have to tip their hat to the Bengals.

Cincinnati did the opposite of what everyone expected them to do. And they made some great halftime adjustments.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

The difference was in the first half they dropped 8 into zone, in the second half they dropped 8 and played man with a spay.

Unique. Inventive. And apparently, it worked.

[ThyKingdomCome15]

He still had guys open. No excuses, Mahomes choked.

[Coochie liquor]

I still just don’t understand the second half. Remember how awesome our offense ran the ball on the Tits in the AFCCG? We are almost the whole second half just running over and over. Barely even threw it the last 2 scoring drives.

1st & 10 at KC 27
(6:58 - 3rd) Dam.Williams right guard to KC 33 for 6 yards (R.Evans; K.Correa).
2nd & 4 at KC 33
(6:25 - 3rd) (Shotgun) Dam.Williams right tackle to KC 36 for 3 yards (K.Correa; K.Vaccaro).
3rd & 1 at KC 36
(5:47 - 3rd) Dam.Williams left guard to KC 41 for 5 yards (L.Ryan).
1st & 10 at KC 41
(5:09 - 3rd) (Shotgun) Dam.Williams up the middle to KC 42 for 1 yard (H.Landry).
2nd & 9 at KC 42
(4:29 - 3rd) (Shotgun) P.Mahomes pass short left to S.Watkins to KC 49 for 7 yards (T.Brock).
3rd & 2 at KC 49
(3:49 - 3rd) (Shotgun) P.Mahomes scrambles left end ran ob at TEN 47 for 4 yards (K.Byard).
1st & 10 at TEN 47
(3:18 - 3rd) T.Hill right end to TEN 40 for 7 yards (J.Brown).
2nd & 3 at TEN 40
(2:31 - 3rd) (Shotgun) D.Thompson right end to TEN 33 for 7 yards (K.Byard).
1st & 10 at TEN 33
(1:46 - 3rd) (Shotgun) P.Mahomes scrambles left end ran ob at TEN 22 for 11 yards (L.Ryan).
1st & 10 at TEN 22
(1:13 - 3rd) Dam.Williams right end ran ob at TEN 18 for 4 yards (A.Jackson).
2nd & 6 at TEN 18
(0:38 - 3rd) (Shotgun) P.Mahomes pass short right to T.Hill pushed ob at TEN 3 for 15 yards (W.Woodyard).
END QUARTER 3
1st & Goal at TEN 3
(15:00 - 4th) P.Mahomes pass incomplete short right to A.Sherman.
2nd & Goal at TEN 3
(14:50 - 4th) Damien Williams 3 Yard Rush H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Winchester, Holder-D.Colquitt.

Followed by

1st & 10 at KC 12
(11:53 - 4th) Dam.Williams left tackle to KC 13 for 1 yard (D.Long; H.Landry).
(11:13 - 4th) Timeout #1 by TEN at 11:13.
2nd & 9 at KC 13
(11:13 - 4th) (Shotgun) P.Mahomes pass short right to S.Watkins to KC 24 for 11 yards (L.Ryan).
1st & 10 at KC 24
(10:31 - 4th) (Shotgun) Dam.Williams up the middle to KC 29 for 5 yards (K.Correa).
2nd & 5 at KC 29
(9:48 - 4th) (Shotgun) P.Mahomes pass short left to S.Watkins to KC 36 for 7 yards (T.Brock).
1st & 10 at KC 36
(9:08 - 4th) (Shotgun) Dam.Williams left end to KC 37 for 1 yard (K.Correa).
2nd & 9 at KC 37
(8:26 - 4th) (Shotgun) P.Mahomes pass short right to Dam.Williams to KC 40 for 3 yards (W.Woodyard).

Which opened up the opportunity for

3rd & 6 at KC 40
(7:33 - 4th) Sammy Watkins 60 Yd pass from Patrick Mahomes (Harrison Butker Kick)

Why didn’t Andy/EB go to this exact game plan in the second half. I think they should have called no RPO’s a d just called these exact plays in that order, and we win the game.

[BlackOp]

Amazing, that the uncharacteristic Mahomes struggles aligned perfectly with both the point spread and over/under.

What are the "odds"...