Bad News Keeps Coming for Patrick Mahomes After Chiefs Loss
The Kansas City Chiefs are watching their season slip away as they fall further from a playoff spot, and Patrick Mahomes could be seeing a personal accolade going with it.
The Chiefs looked to rebound from their loss to the Buffalo Bills, getting a bye week to prepare for a critical divisional matchup with the Denver Broncos. But the Chiefs struggled to find consistency on offense and stalled out at the end of the game, allowing the Broncos to get a come-from-behind win.
The 22-19 loss may have sealed any hopes of another division title, while also putting a third MVP award out of reach for Mahomes.
Patrick Mahomes Drops in MVP Standings
Mahomes was briefly seen as a frontrunner for the MVP award after leading the Chiefs to five wins in six games, but the team has since hit a wall. Back-to-back losses dropped them to 5-5, while Mahomes fell to fifth place on the MVP ladder.
USA Today reporter Jack McKessy noted that Mahomes now ranks behind favorite Matthew Stafford as well as Drake Maye, Josh Allen, and Jonathan Taylor in the latest MVP odds.
“Mahomes’ odds to win a third MVP award dipped in Week 11,” McKessy wrote. “The Chiefs’ offense struggled against the Broncos’ mighty defense in the loss on the road. Kansas City’s quarterback finished the game 29-of-45 for 276 yards, one touchdown and an interception.”
Allen was behind Mahomes going into Week 11, but his six-touchdown performance in a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vaulted him ahead of the Chiefs quarterback — while the win made it even more difficult for Kansas City to compete for a postseason berth.
Patrick Mahomes Takes Responsibility for Chiefs Loss
Mahomes put the blame on himself for Sunday’s loss, saying he needs to be more consistent. He threw an interception and watched the team go three-and-out on each of their final two drives, giving the Broncos chances to tie and then win the game with field-goal drives.
Mahomes said his inability to make throws has been killing drives.
“I think we’re really talented and we’ve got a lot of great players, but it’s about being more consistent. I think it starts with me,” Mahomes told reporters after the game, via SI.com. “There’s times where I’m firing and we’re moving the ball down the field at ease. But there’s times where we go in spurts where I miss a throw or a [pass] protection call.
“We haven’t been consistent enough to win games. It starts with me.”
The Chiefs — seen briefly as Super Bowl favorites after getting back to 5-3 — will now face a challenge in climbing back into the playoff picture. The loss dropped them four wins behind the Broncos for the lead in the AFC West and created a difficult path to a wild-card spot. All three teams currently holding wild cards — Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, and Jacksonville Jaguars — have beaten the Chiefs.
The Chiefs also currently lose the conference tie-breaker to the Houston Texans, the next team back from a playoff spot at 5-5.
49ers' Shanahan reveals Brock Purdy's health status after first game back
Sunday marked Brock Purdy's first game back for the San Francisco 49ers since aggravating his turf toe injury in Week 4. The quarterback looked like his usual self, leading the team to a decisive 41-22 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Purdy completed 19 of 26 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns, earning a 133.5 passer rating. More importantly, he appeared to escape his first action since September without further injury.
Speaking to reporters during a Monday conference call, head coach Kyle Shanahan said he hadn't had a chance to talk to Purdy since after the game, as players were off. The 49ers have an extra day this week ahead of their Monday night matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
"Just talking to him last night, I know he felt pretty good and seemed like he checked out alright," Shanahan said.
Purdy admitted after the game that he wasn't focused on the injury while on the field, which helped him to play at a high level.
"I was pretty good going into the game," Purdy said. "I mean, this is the reason why I told Kyle, 'It's time. It's ready, because I feel great.' You know, at practice, running around, all the things. So, coming into it, I didn't want to think about it at all, and I didn't. I just went out and played quarterback how I've always played. That's how I went about it. It feels great now and onto the next one."
Purdy initially injured his toe in the season opener and returned in Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a comeback that Shanahan previously admitted may have been too soon. After a setback in that game, the 49ers were cautious with their franchise quarterback.
Backup Mac Jones performed well, keeping the team in playoff contention, but a strong week of practice finally convinced Purdy and the team that he was ready to return.
"It's always a challenge when you haven't played," Shanahan said. "I know he got to play versus Jacksonville, but that game, he totally wasn't himself because of the injury. So, he really, truly hasn't been able to play like himself since Week 1. Then so much goes on in between."
For some players, there is a mental hurdle to returning after a lengthy time on the sidelines. However, that wasn't an issue for Purdy.
"You always want to get to the game," Shanahan continued. "But how cool he was throughout the week, I think he made it very comfortable for all the guys, and pretty easy on us with what to expect.
"Then he was the exact same way in the game as he was all week. So, I think that speaks a lot about him and kind of how even keel he is."
