Patrick Mahomes: “The MVP Race Isn’t Over Until the Final Week”
Despite a rough stretch in the season and a drop in MVP odds, Patrick Mahomes is far from conceding his spot in the race. In a candid statement following a tough loss, Mahomes made it clear that he has no plans of giving up the MVP chase and is confident he will come back stronger than ever.
“The MVP race isn’t over until the final week. I know what I’m capable of, and I’m coming back stronger than ever. This is just a setback, not a finish.” –
Patrick Mahomes
A Rocky Road to Recovery
The 2025 season has been a rollercoaster for Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. After an impressive start, the team faced a frustrating Week 9 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Mahomes’ performance in that game was one of his more inconsistent efforts, where he completed just 44.1% of his passes for 250 yards, and threw an interception. The loss was particularly costly, causing a noticeable dip in his MVP odds.
Despite the setback, Mahomes has always been a fighter. He understands that the MVP race isn’t decided by a single game, and he remains confident in his ability to finish the season strong. With a bye week ahead, Mahomes will have the time to recalibrate, focus on his strengths, and lead his team back to the top.
Determined to Prove Himself
Mahomes’ determination has been evident throughout his career. His ability to bounce back from adversity is one of the reasons he is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. After a challenging loss, Mahomes took a measured approach: it’s not about panicking, it’s about adjusting, learning from the past, and moving forward.
In his statement, Mahomes emphasized that setbacks are a part of the game, but they don’t define the outcome. The MVP award is often given to players who manage to overcome adversity and finish the season with spectacular performances. Mahomes is determined to prove that he is still the frontrunner, and he is ready to show the world what he’s capable of.
Looking Ahead
With the second half of the season ahead, Mahomes has plenty of opportunities to reclaim his MVP status. The Chiefs are still in the playoff hunt, and with Mahomes under center, they remain a dangerous team. He has the weapons around him, including top-tier wide receivers and a solid offensive line, to turn things around and finish the season strong.
For Mahomes, the race is far from over. He’s shown time and again that he’s capable of bouncing back from adversity, and this year will be no different. If anyone can go on a hot streak and reclaim the MVP title, it’s Patrick Mahomes.
This Lightning Off-Season Move Is Already Looking Good
The Tampa Bay Lightning had a bit of a quiet off-season, but they did bring in a handful of new players. One of them was defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous, as the Bolts signed him to a one-year, two-way contract in May.
The Lightning signing D'Astous did not get a ton of attention when it was first announced. Yet, with the way that he has been playing early on this season, there is no question that he is making an impact with the Bolts.
D'Astous started the season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Syracuse Crunch, where he posted one goal, two assists, three points, and a plus-3 rating in four games. However, since getting called up to the Lightning's roster, he has been solid.
In eight games this season with the Lightning so far, D'Astous has posted one goal, five points, nine penalty minutes, 11 hits, and a plus-1 rating. This included him recording two assists in the Lightning's most recent matchup against the Washington Capitals on Nov. 8.
With this, D'Astous is proving to be a solid depth addition to the Lightning's roster. If the left-shot blueliner continues to make an impact with his two-way play, he could end up being a complete steal for the Lightning.
Lightning Injury Report: Ryan McDonagh & Anthony Cirelli
The injury bug has been hitting the Tampa Bay Lightning lately, as defenseman Ryan McDonagh and forward Anthony Cirelli are both currently sidelined. McDonagh and Cirelli are both very important parts of the Lightning's roster, so the Bolts are undoubtedly looking forward to both players being fully healthy.
Now, injury updates on McDonagh and Cirelli have been provided.
According to Lightning team reporter Benjamin Pierce, McDonagh is still being evaluated following exiting the Bolts' Nov. 8 contest against the Washington Capitals early due to his injury.
Pierce also shared that Cirelli is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury, and that Lightning head coach Jon Cooper is hopeful that the key center will be back in the lineup against the New York Rangers on Nov. 12.
McDonagh has been off to a solid start this season with the Lightning, as he has recorded three goals, three assists, six points, 26 blocks, and a plus-1 rating. He was limited to only 6:12 of ice time during the Lightning's most recent matchup against the Capitals due to injury.
Cirelli, on the other hand, missed the Lightning's matchup against the Capitals entirely due to his injury. In 14 games so far this season with the Bolts, the 2015 third-round pick has recorded seven goals, four assists, 11 points, and a plus-6 rating.
