Patrick Mahomes on Chiefs' collapse vs. Jaguars: 'We've lost too many games already'
The Kansas City Chiefs stumbled their way to a 31-28 loss in Jacksonville on Monday night, losing a 14-0 lead with a stinging concoction of mistakes, penalties and missed opportunities.
"Obviously, it sucks," Patrick Mahomes said. "You let a game slip away. ... It still sucks whenever you get a lead like that and you're not able to hold it through the rest of the game."
K.C. jumped out to a 14-0 lead after forcing a goal-line fumble by Trevor Lawrence and marching 97 yards for the touchdown. Then, things went awry.
Penalties piled up, the defense couldn't slow Lawrence, and a 99-yard interception return touchdown by Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd turned the tide.
The Chiefs suffered their first loss after leading by 14 points or more since Week 17, 2021, at Cincinnati. They had won 22 straight games when leading by 14-plus points (second-longest active streak in the NFL behind Detroit -- 26).
K.C. spent last year eking out close win after close win. They won 11 one-score games in 2024, most in league history. In 2025, the regression to the mean has been brutal. All three of the Chiefs' losses have been by one score.
"We have the guys and we've executed at certain points in games and looked really good, and then we crush ourselves with penalties and mistakes and interceptions and fumbles or whatever that is," Mahomes said. "We've kinda done that to ourselves all season long. It's kinda been one guy here or there. In this league, it's so close that those [moments] change games.
"We've got to be better. We've lost too many games already."
Mahomes led a go-ahead touchdown drive, a grinding, 6:23 possession to take a late lead. It looked like many of the Chiefs' wins last year. This time, the defense couldn't get the last stop, culminated by a wacky Lawrence stumble touchdown.
"That's what hurts a lot," linebacker Leo Chenal said of the defense's failures, via ESPN. "We've established that trust where the offense can lean on us in those [late-game] moments. It really hurts that we didn't hold up our end. Every single guy feels it."
From missed interceptions to Mahomes' pick-six to the 13 penalties for 109 yards to not making a play on the final Jags drive, it was a forgettable night all around.
The flags were particularly problematic. The 13 penalties were tied for the most in a game in the Mahomes era (Week 11, 2018 shootout with the Los Angeles Rams). The end of the game was shaped by penalties. Harrison Butker kicked the ball out of bounds, giving the Jags excellent field position for their final drive. Then, corner Chamarri Conner was flagged for pass interference in the end zone, setting up Jacksonville's game-winner.
"Whether I agree with them or don't agree with them, it doesn't matter," Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said of the penalties. "They called them. And so you have that many penalties, you give up field position. You can out-stat them to death, but it doesn't matter. It's the score that matters, and we've got to take care of business there."
Falling to 2-3, the Chiefs have a losing record through five games for just the second time in the Mahomes era. In 2021, they also started 2-3 before turning things around to go 12-5, losing in the AFC Championship Game to Cincinnati.
Jared Goff Reveals What Running Back Pass Play Was Called
The Detroit Lions installed the play involving running back David Montgomery tossing the football during the week of preparation for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Appearing on 97.1 The Ticket Tuesday morning, quarterback Jared Goff revealed what the play was called and when it was installed in the game plan.
Montgomery's play was called "Purple Rumble."
The veteran signal-caller said there was no special meaning behind the call and believed it was the idea of head coach Dan Campbell.
"No, it's just the way that play, there's nothing special. Those are actually just words that we use that just combine to make that play happen," said Goff. "But yeah, no, nothing special there. It's something that was the brainchild of Dan (Campbell), I believe early in the week, and it came to life."
Goff admitted, when asked if the team will install unique or trick plays during game week and then run it on Sunday, "Yeah. Every week."
Studs and Duds: Lions RB David Montgomery Shines
The weekend was special for Detroit's talented running back, as he was able to play in front of friends and family. His sister was involved in a serious automobile accident 18 months ago that left her paralyzed from the neck down.
To see her and other supporters was very meaningful to the veteran running back.
Montgomery shared, via the team's social media channel, "It was super, super meaningful. You know, my sister hadn't seen me play in person since her accident. To be able to kinda get her here. I really appreciate the Cincinnati Bengals helping making sure that she got on the field. I think that was special. And I appreciate them for that. You know, it was a very special moment for me."
Montgomery was a former high school quarterback, so to be able to toss a pass in his hometown also provided added meaning.
“Super, super meaningful," said Montgomery. "To be able to come back home where it all started for me, being able to kind of show my arm where it all started for me, I think it was a special moment.”
Detroit's fifth-year head coach praised Montgomery in his postgame address to the media, including using a rare expletive expressed in public.
“He lays it on the line on Sundays. He lays it on the line at practice," said Campbell. “David is that guy. Heartbeat guy. He’ll do whatever it takes. He’ll stick his face up there in protection; he’ll run the dirty runs. He will run down field to make a block for a teammate in the pass game. “He’s all fu****g team. Excuse my language.”
