Patrick Mahomes‘ 300-yard performance vs. the Patriots on Sunday was preceded by a week of especially strong concentration in practice, according to his teammate Travis Kelce.
Mahomes and the Chiefs lost their fifth game of the season last week to the Bills, with the quarterback losing his temper after an offensive offsides call negated a would-be touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
But Mahomes responded with an improved performance in New England, throwing two touchdowns, and his favorite target Kelce was impressed with his approach heading into the game.
‘He’s been focused more than I’ve ever seen him focused,’ Kelce told the KC Star.
The quarterback’s teammates also mentioned an early-week meeting following the Bills loss that set the tone for the days ahead.
Patrick Mahomes tossed 305 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions on Sunday
And Travis Kelce said his teammate had been especially focused in the days before the game
Mahomes helped the Chiefs improve to 9-5 with the win over New England last weekend
However, Mahomes seemed to insist that his preparations weren’t anything out of the ordinary.
‘I’m always this focused when I’m playing against Coach [Bill] Belichick because I know how many different schemes he’s going to put out there and how great of a coach he is,’ he said.
‘Obviously trying to focus on the details as much as possible and really get as many tells as you can.’
This was Patrick Mahomes' reaction after Kadarius Toney dropped a pass that ended up being picked off by the Patriots. pic.twitter.com/lYA3DqB02H
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 17, 2023
Mahomes wound up completing 73 percent of his passes as the Chiefs notched their ninth win of the season.
He also threw two interceptions, though one of them bounced off the hands of Kadarius Toney.
He was visibly frustrated after that play – despite the Chiefs leading 27-10 at the time – as he appeared to say ‘I just f******g can’t, man. God, damnit!’
Mahomes and the Chiefs will face the Raiders this weekend as they look for their 10th win of the season.
