Patrick Mahomes speaks about heartbreak against Bengals

The Kansas City Chiefs appeared to be on track to win easily at home and go to their third consecutive Super Bowl earlier this year. Then everything in Kansas City went downhill.

Patrick Mahomes had a practically perfect first half, going 18 of 22 for 220 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions vs the Bengals. However, he struggled mightily in the second half and overtime. Mahomes was sacked 24 times after halftime. He was 8 of 18 for 55 yards with two turnovers, four tackles, and no touchdowns.

Patrick Mahomes on sloppy second period vs Bengals

“That second part I played, I didn’t play particularly well. The second half of the game was probably my worst playoff football I’ve ever played,” Patrick Mahomes told Pro Football Talk’s, Michael David Smith. “So I’m just trying to utilize that as a lesson experience that anytime I or a team is suffering, just discover a way to produce favorable outcomes, since once you have an advantage like that, you don’t want to blow it.”

The Bengals’ approach to Mahomes’ second third-quarter drop back. It hinted at what they’d do throughout the rest of the game. It was a daring yet excellent defensive manoeuvre that succeeded flawlessly.

Cincinnati demonstrated a four-man rush but ultimately kicked No. 94, Sam Hubbard (top of the line), into coverage. At the snap, No. 24 safety Vonn Bell appeared to be part of a conventional two-deep safety look. They did, however, move downhill to eliminate intermediary paths across the middle.

A three-man rush is now giving Mahomes time. Playing solitary safety was formerly regarded to be a formula for defensive catastrophe. Because of the pace of Kansas City, Mahomes’ arm, as well as the club’s propensity to smash the home run over the top. However, the Bengals saw that the Chiefs were largely pushing the ball below. Also, owing to the safety alignment, they had created adequate space in those areas at the second level of defense.

Cincinnati stuck to their defensive strategy, employing some variant of it on virtually every Mahomes settle back after halftime. It forced Mahomes to depart the box to his right too soon and toss the ball away.

“It’s just a scar.” It’s a profound wound. Tannehill told reporters, “It was a lot of restless nights.” “I was replaying the game in my thoughts every time I closed my eyes.” I hadn’t slept for weeks on end following the game.