Patrick Mahomes Loses Top Spot as Chiefs Prepare to Face Detroit Lions
The Kansas City Chiefs had a rough evening, to say the least, in Florida on Monday, October 6, because the team lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in what was really a surprising upset. Pretty much every outlet had the Chiefs winning this Monday Night Football matchup, but the team struggled through the entire game, and they left the Sunshine State with a 2-3 record.
While quarterback Patrick Mahomes is absolutely considered one of the best signal-callers in the league and a few losses won’t change that, he’s down a bit this season. That’s what happens when your team is 2-3, even with that great history of wins for years with the franchise.
Now, what we’re about to share by no means belittles what Mahomes continues to bring to the Chiefs or changes that he’s one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation, if not the greatest. But, for someone who’s used to being on top of every tally, it’s surprising to see where he lands going into Week 6 of the NFL season.
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs Falls Behind 2 Quarterbacks
Following Sunday’s loss to the Jags and ahead of the team’s Sunday, October 12, game against the Detroit Lions, Mahomes is in an usual spot on USA Today’s tally of the best quarterbacks heading into Week 6.
Jack McKessy of USA Today has released his roster of Week 6 power rankings, out on Wednesday, October 8, and in it, he notes that Week 5 was filled with upsets in the NFL, because both of the league’s remaining undefeated franchises, the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills, lost their games. That had to make the Chiefs smile a little.
In his tally, he places Mahomes as the No. 3 best quarterback in the league. It’s pretty wild to see him below not only Josh Allen of the Bills, who’s No. 2, but also Mahomes’ upcoming opponent, Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions, who’s No. 1.
“Mahomes’ end zone interception that was returned for a touchdown was not entirely his fault – the Jaguars designed an excellent concept to force the error – but it did give Jacksonville the lead and major momentum at home,” McKessy says in the piece. “The Chiefs’ quarterback also threw for 318 yards and once again led his team in rushing yards in Week 5.”
Of Goff, he says, “Goff’s 19-of-23 outing with three touchdowns against the Bengals moved him into the league lead in completion percentage (75.2%) and touchdown passes (12). He’s also No. 1 in passer rating and QBR among quarterbacks to have started all five games – only Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was ruled out in Week 5, has higher marks.”
Kansas City Chiefs Take On the Detroit Lions
In ESPN’s power rankings for all of the NFL teams heading into Week 6, the publication gives the Detroit Lions the No. 1 spot on the tally.
The Chiefs are No. 10. “Isiah Pacheco was supposed to give the Chiefs better balance on offense after missing most of last season because of a broken right leg,” Nate Taylor of ESPN notes in the piece. “But he is in a funk, averaging just 7.2 fantasy points per game and 32.6 rushing yards per game.”
So, Mahomes is going to have some stiff competition come Sunday. It helps that the game is at home at Arrowhead Stadium, but the Lions are road warriors, so the Chiefs better watch out.
Practice Notebook: Alec Pierce returns to practice, Kenny Moore II 'progressing well' through Achilles injury
Pierce is still in concussion protocol but was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) was a full participant in the Colts' Wednesday practice ahead of their Week 6 game against the Arizona Cardinals. Defensive tackle Grover Stewart, who left the Colts' Week 5 game with a bicep injury, was also a full participant in practice.
Pierce sustained a concussion in Week 3 and did not play in Week 4; he was a full participant in the Colts' practices on Wednesday and Thursday last week but did not practice on Friday. He was ruled out for Week 5 after head coach Shane Steichen said he was unable to clear concussion protocol.
Steichen on Wednesday said Pierce is still in concussion protocol.
Running back Tyler Goodson (groin) and cornerback Kenny Moore II (Achilles) did not practice on Wednesday. Goodson sustained his injury in Week 4 and missed all three practices and the Colts' game against the Raiders on Sunday. Moore sustained his injury in Week 3 and has missed two straight weeks of practice and games. But despite his injury, the nine-year veteran remains in good spirits and is optimistic about returning to the field soon.
"Mentally I'm doing well, taking it day by day, just trying to attack it properly to get back to the practice field and obviously to the game," Moore said Wednesday. "I'm excited to still be around, still helping guys prepare for the game, still in meeting rooms being alert, attentive as I should be. I prepare like I'm playing. Obviously having to miss two games already, it's not the best, but I got a lot of support around me.
"Physically, I'm getting there. I'm feeling really good right now...I'm progressing well."
