Sports
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, speculation around the Kansas City Chiefs continues to swirl.
Despite winning a Super Bowl last season, many observers still question whether Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs can repeat their dominance in a league that only grows tougher each year.
But if history, and Mahomes‘ track record are any indication, underestimating Kansas City remains a risky proposition.
The Chiefs may be facing the toughest schedule of the Mahomes era, but head coach Andy Reid isn’t losing sleep. Why? Because Kansas City’s offensive engine remains the same, and he knows how rare that is.
“You’re going to do something like this, which is like, he’s in the moment, or he’s just so focused on what’s going on, it doesn’t kick in sometimes,” Reid said about Mahomes‘ now-routine spectacular plays.
“I tell the coaches this all the time: You never, never take that for granted. So, appreciate every one of those throws he makes, because you don’t get that very often in a career, and as a coach. Absolutely, there are times I go, ‘Whoa, that was pretty good right there.'”
The legacy that defies the odds
Mahomes’ postseason record is nearly unmatched in today’s NFL. He holds a 17-4 playoff mark, including a perfect 5-0 against fellow AFC stars Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.
His only losses in the postseason have come at the hands of elite quarterbacks-Joe Burrow, Tom Brady (twice), and Jalen Hurts. These aren’t flukes, they’re reminders that Kansas City competes at the highest level, year after year.
“Every single year we come up here and we say, ‘Man, this is the most vulnerable the Kansas City Chiefs have ever been,'” said former NFL wide receiver Harry Douglas on ESPN’s First Take.
“And then every single year they end up in the Super Bowl. So, I don’t care how hard the AFC as a conference is. See, when things happen over and over again, especially like they do for the Kansas City Chiefs, it’s not by mistake.”
Despite that consistency, Mahomes has shown he’s not immune to struggles. Since becoming a starter in 2018, he’s thrown interceptions on just 1.8% of his passes, seventh-best among active quarterbacks.
Still, quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers (1.1%) and Justin Herbert (1.5%) have posted slightly better numbers. The Chiefs‘ offensive drop-off last season, finishing just 15th in scoring and 16th in total offense, only added fuel to critics’ fire.
Yet Mahomes‘ greatness shines under pressure and with time. According to ESPN’s Kevin Clark, Mahomes is elite under very specific conditions: “Last year, Mahomes was at his best, truly, when he was either getting rid of the ball really quickly or he’s holding onto the ball and making magic happen,” Clark said.
“His first two years as a starter, he was by far the best quarterback in the NFL when he held onto the ball for 2.5 seconds.”
Back then, the combination of Travis Kelce‘s zone awareness and Tyreek Hill’s explosive speed made Mahomes nearly unstoppable. Without Hill, that margin has tightened.
Clark noted: “He wasn’t even in the top 20 last year when he held onto the ball for 2.5 seconds. He’s not creating that level of magic right now. Do I believe he will again? Of course, he will.”
Mahomes’ ability to adjust, to develop new chemistry, and to innovate in real-time is what separates him from even the best. The Chiefs don’t win simply because of talent-they win because of adaptability, leadership, and the rare ability of their quarterback to thrive in chaos.
As the AFC grows more competitive, one thing remains constant: Patrick Mahomes is still the one every team is chasing.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Browns, Jaguars agree to trade, swapping CBs Greg Newsome II, Tyson Campbell
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns are swapping starting cornerbacks.The Jaguars are sending cornerback Tyson Campbell and a 2026 seventh-round NFL Draft pick to the Browns in exchange for cornerback Greg Newsome II and a 2026 sixth-round selection, a team source confirmed to The Athletic.AdvertisementBoth players were members of the 2021 NFL Draft class. Newsome was selected by the Browns with the 26th pick, and Campbell was taken a few spots later at No. 33 by the Jaguars.Campbell has been a starter for Jacksonville since his rookie year and has tallied six interceptions and three forced fumbles during his career.Newsome also quickly became a starter in Cleveland and has logged three interceptions throughout his career.Why the Browns made this moveEverything the Browns do must be viewed through the prism of the failed Deshaun Watson trade. The Browns are playing for […]
NLDS Game 3: Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong’s critical hit gives Chicago new life
CHICAGO — Pete Crow-Armstrong is as emotional a player as there is in baseball. There’s no hiding what’s going on in his head. When there’s a tough strikeout or pop out in a big moment, it takes all of his power to hold back from slamming a bat or helmet, sometimes both.But when Crow-Armstrong comes through for the team, the energy is both equal and opposite. In Wednesday night’s 4-3 victory for the Cubs to stave off elimination against the Brewers in the best-of-five National League Division Series, Crow-Armstrong’s two-out, two-RBI single was the type of momentum-shifting hit that Chicago has been searching for this series.AdvertisementCrow-Armstrong let out a yell when he reached first. It was a scream every Cubs fan could understand, one they’ve likely experienced themselves. There was a sense of relief among a group that knew they […]
Aces edge Mercury in WNBA Finals Game 3 with A’ja Wilson game winner: Live reaction and updates
The Las Vegas Aces survived the Phoenix Mercury 90-88 to take Game 3 of the 2025 WNBA Finals. A’ja Wilson scored with 0.1 seconds left to lift the Aces, putting them on the brink of the franchise’s third WNBA championship with a 3-0 series lead.Wilson had 34 points in the victory. With her game tonight, Wilson has the most points scored in a single postseason in WNBA history. The Mercury were down by as much as 17 points. They had a ferocious comeback, outscoring Las Vegas 29-14 in the fourth quarter. Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner were instrumental in the rally. Bonner had one last chance to tie but couldn't make the field goal, giving Las Vegas the win. Game 4 is Friday night in Phoenix.
Louis Varland and the bullpen outduel the Yankees to send the Blue Jays to the ALCS 🔥
Major League Baseball Video Details Louis Varland joined Ken Rosenthal to discuss the Toronto Blue Jays’ dominant win over the New York Yankees, praising the bullpen’s performance and reflecting on the team’s journey to the ALCS. 20 MINS AGO・Major League Baseball・0:54
4 Takeaways From Blue Jays’ Win Over Yankees to Advance to ALCS
<!--> [--> Deesha Thosar MLB Writer <!--> --> NEW YORK – After settling the debate that they’re the best team in the AL East, the Toronto Blue Jays doubled down by eliminating the New York Yankees and advancing to the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2016.After Jeff Hoffman struck out Cody Bellinger for the final out, the Blue Jays stormed the field to celebrate their win over the Bombers. They are one step closer to being the last American League team standing. Here are my takeaways:1. Who else but Vlad?No hitter has more experience putting the Yankees in an early hole than Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Just like he did in Game 2 of the ALCS on Tuesday, the slugger put the Blue Jays on the board with an RBI single to right field in the first inning, capitalizing […]
Brock Purdy still sidelined by toe injury, Mac Jones could start again for 49ers against Buccaneers
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that quarterback Brock Purdy is "progressing" and that he hasn't thought about placing the fourth-year quarterback on injured reserve.Purdy, though, didn't practice Wednesday and is still nursing a toe injury that's kept him out of three games this season. Mac Jones appears to be in line for his fourth start with the 49ers, with a Week 6 road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers approaching.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJones, who is battling injury himself, has gone 3-0 in Purdy's place, most recently throwing for 342 yards and two touchdowns with a depleted supporting cast in a 26-23 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams that improved San Francisco's NFC West record to 3-0 on the year.Jones, who valiantly finished the Thursday night game in Inglewood despite being clearly banged up, is dealing with a left […]
Related
Browns, Jaguars agree to trade, swapping CBs Greg Newsome II, Tyson Campbell
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns are swapping starting cornerbacks.The Jaguars are sending cornerback Tyson Campbell and a 2026 seventh-round NFL Draft pick to the Browns in exchange for cornerback Greg Newsome II and a 2026 sixth-round selection, a team source confirmed to The Athletic.AdvertisementBoth players were members of the 2021 NFL Draft class. Newsome was selected by the Browns with the 26th pick, and Campbell was taken a few spots later at No. 33 by the Jaguars.Campbell has been a starter for Jacksonville since his rookie year and has tallied six interceptions and three forced fumbles during his career.Newsome also quickly became a starter in Cleveland and has logged three interceptions throughout his career.Why the Browns made this moveEverything the Browns do must be viewed through the prism of the failed Deshaun Watson trade. The Browns are playing for […]
NLDS Game 3: Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong’s critical hit gives Chicago new life
CHICAGO — Pete Crow-Armstrong is as emotional a player as there is in baseball. There’s no hiding what’s going on in his head. When there’s a tough strikeout or pop out in a big moment, it takes all of his power to hold back from slamming a bat or helmet, sometimes both.But when Crow-Armstrong comes through for the team, the energy is both equal and opposite. In Wednesday night’s 4-3 victory for the Cubs to stave off elimination against the Brewers in the best-of-five National League Division Series, Crow-Armstrong’s two-out, two-RBI single was the type of momentum-shifting hit that Chicago has been searching for this series.AdvertisementCrow-Armstrong let out a yell when he reached first. It was a scream every Cubs fan could understand, one they’ve likely experienced themselves. There was a sense of relief among a group that knew they […]
Aces edge Mercury in WNBA Finals Game 3 with A’ja Wilson game winner: Live reaction and updates
The Las Vegas Aces survived the Phoenix Mercury 90-88 to take Game 3 of the 2025 WNBA Finals. A’ja Wilson scored with 0.1 seconds left to lift the Aces, putting them on the brink of the franchise’s third WNBA championship with a 3-0 series lead.Wilson had 34 points in the victory. With her game tonight, Wilson has the most points scored in a single postseason in WNBA history. The Mercury were down by as much as 17 points. They had a ferocious comeback, outscoring Las Vegas 29-14 in the fourth quarter. Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner were instrumental in the rally. Bonner had one last chance to tie but couldn't make the field goal, giving Las Vegas the win. Game 4 is Friday night in Phoenix.
Louis Varland and the bullpen outduel the Yankees to send the Blue Jays to the ALCS 🔥
Major League Baseball Video Details Louis Varland joined Ken Rosenthal to discuss the Toronto Blue Jays’ dominant win over the New York Yankees, praising the bullpen’s performance and reflecting on the team’s journey to the ALCS. 20 MINS AGO・Major League Baseball・0:54
4 Takeaways From Blue Jays’ Win Over Yankees to Advance to ALCS
<!--> [--> Deesha Thosar MLB Writer <!--> --> NEW YORK – After settling the debate that they’re the best team in the AL East, the Toronto Blue Jays doubled down by eliminating the New York Yankees and advancing to the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2016.After Jeff Hoffman struck out Cody Bellinger for the final out, the Blue Jays stormed the field to celebrate their win over the Bombers. They are one step closer to being the last American League team standing. Here are my takeaways:1. Who else but Vlad?No hitter has more experience putting the Yankees in an early hole than Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Just like he did in Game 2 of the ALCS on Tuesday, the slugger put the Blue Jays on the board with an RBI single to right field in the first inning, capitalizing […]
Brock Purdy still sidelined by toe injury, Mac Jones could start again for 49ers against Buccaneers
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that quarterback Brock Purdy is "progressing" and that he hasn't thought about placing the fourth-year quarterback on injured reserve.Purdy, though, didn't practice Wednesday and is still nursing a toe injury that's kept him out of three games this season. Mac Jones appears to be in line for his fourth start with the 49ers, with a Week 6 road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers approaching.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJones, who is battling injury himself, has gone 3-0 in Purdy's place, most recently throwing for 342 yards and two touchdowns with a depleted supporting cast in a 26-23 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams that improved San Francisco's NFC West record to 3-0 on the year.Jones, who valiantly finished the Thursday night game in Inglewood despite being clearly banged up, is dealing with a left […]
Be the first to leave a comment