Here’s Play From Win That Kept Mahomes Awake Sunday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Patrick Mahomes had his best day as a passer in nearly two years, delivering a decisive, 37-20 win over the Ravens in a battle of AFC heavyweights on Sunday.

But despite throwing touchdowns to four different targets, he left Arrowhead Stadium lamenting the touchdown he left on the field, a third-and-6 pass intended for JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Romo said Mahomes probably had Juju for a TD if this pass wasn't tipped at LOS. I think he was probably correct. pic.twitter.com/7NnTesHxHk
— Price Carter (@priceacarter) September 29, 2025

And while statisticians officially gave Tavius Robinson credit for breaking up the pass, Mahomes blamed himself for his release point – regretting what would’ve been the Chiefs’ first game-opening touchdown drive.

“I think early in the game you saw the one to JuJu that got tipped at the line of scrimmage,” Mahomes said after Sunday’s win.

“It’s just we’ve been working extremely hard and we want to have success. And we’ve just been making little mistakes here and there and that causes frustration, but at the same time, we’ve been learning from them. We’ll learn from this game.”

Travis Kelce, JuJu Smith-Schuste — Sep 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) celebrates with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Amoeba-sized hole

They learned immediately from that play that ended their first drive, forcing the Chiefs to settle for a Harrison Butker field goal. After another field-goal drive, the Chiefs took the lead in the second quarter with another pass to Smith-Schuster, this time a 4-yard laser touchdown through a window the size of an amoeba.

Needed the Broadcast Replay for Mahomes First TD to Juju because the All-22 won't do it justice...

An absolute dart into this tight window even better than Thornton's from last week. He throws this before Juju is close to square and by the time his chest is facing Pat the ball… pic.twitter.com/ghm7NLS8ny
— DMac Wake (@DMacWake316) September 29, 2025

Kansas City never looked back. Chalk it up to Mahomes feeling more comfortable in the pocket.

“I think the weeks prior," the quarterback said, "have been something that’s been important to me – seeing that I can sit in these pockets and make these throws and get to my third progression, fourth progression and stuff like that.

“Even the play to JuJu that gets tipped, that’s third progression and you see the pocket; it’s clean. Having that and having that confidence in them, it’s pushing me to be better and I thought we did that today, and let’s continue to do it.”

Sep 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) celebrates after a play during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Smith-Schuster has been a key target in the quarterback’s progression during the six-game suspension of Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy’s time lost with a dislocated shoulder.

“There’s stuff that you can learn from every game, win or loss. I’m proud of the guys at how they’ve responded and want to be even better every single week.”

The Chiefs still produced their most points (37) since that 2023 game against the Chargers.

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