Patrick Mahomes' Worst Day is Better Than Your Favorite Quarterback's Best Day
After Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes struggled in the first half of the Chiefs 26-10 win against the New England Patriots, he put together an average game by his standards in the second half. But it was still better than your favorite quarterback's best day.
It's not often that Kansas City's prodigal son is off his game. It's a reminder that he is human but as the saying goes, "your team with Patrick Mahomes not playing well, is better than your team not having Patrick Mahomes."
I talk about this and much more with Arrowhead Report's Jordan Foote on today's episode of Roughing the Kicker where we recap the Chiefs' less than stellar win.
When the game was over and I looked at Mahomes' final line for the game I was surprised. His 236 passing yards, 65.5 completion percentage, two touchdown, no interception stat line made me raise an eyebrow and let out an audible "huh!"
If Brian Hoyer or Jared Stidham would've put out those numbers than we would be talking about how well the backup played.
If Mitch Trubisky trotted out onto Soldier Field and put up numbers like that, the jokes about the Bears taking him over Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft might slow.
If Drew Lock throws for 236 yards (which he only did once last season), he would be hailed as the next John Elway.
If Lamar Jackson completed 65.5% of his passes while throwing for 236 yards — which he's only done three times in his 35 game career — we wouldn't stop hearing about it.
But this is average for Mahomes.
His level of expectation is nowhere near the levels of Lock or Trubisky and I understand that. Mahomes is an MVP contender year in and year out and we expect that level each game, and rightfully so. But look at where the expectations have come from.
Gone are the days of Elvis Grbac and Brodie Croyle. Forgotten are the plays of Damon Huard and Brady Quinn. Expectations went from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs.
I'm glad this is where the Chiefs are but it's important to put Mahomes numbers in perspective and appreciate what they have. It wasn't long ago that a 236 yard, two-touchdown game would've been a highlight for a Chiefs quarterback.
Just remember when the Chiefs are winning by, say, 16 but Mahomes hasn't played his best, his worse day is better than a lot of quarterback's best days.
Want a shortcut? Start listening to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or iHeartRadio.
Have something you want to tell the show? Tweet using #RTKpod to submit questions and comments to be shared on air.
