ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs enter their bye week going by means of one other uncommon expertise this season.
After their 28-21 loss Sunday to the Buffalo Payments, the Chiefs exited Highmark Stadium with a 5-4 document and on the surface of the AFC playoff image, the primary time that has occurred getting into their bye week since quarterback Patrick Mahomes turned the workforce's starter in 2018.
Sunday additionally marked the fourth time this season that the Chiefs misplaced a one-score sport.
“We have had nice moments and we have had dangerous moments,” Mahomes mentioned. “We have got to be extra constant as a workforce, I've bought to be extra constant and we have been in a number of these tight, shut video games in our historical past, however they are not going our approach.
“How can we take care of that adversity? You may solely be taught from so many losses. You have to be taught from it quick.”
After their bye week, the Chiefs will play a pivotal sport in opposition to the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos (7-2).
“It'll be an uphill battle after we get again, however I believe our guys are as much as it,” Mahomes mentioned. “There is not any simple video games arising. There is not any extra probabilities that we will actually take losses. We have got to be higher as a workforce.”
Mahomes, who entered Sunday with a league-leading 17 landing passes, had his worst efficiency of the season in opposition to the Payments, ending with 250 passing yards and an interception.
The most important cause for his struggles was a scarcity of safety from the offensive line in contrast with earlier weeks. Though the Payments have been with out 5 defensive starters, they pressured Mahomes on 52.6% of his dropbacks, in keeping with Subsequent Gen Stats. And once they despatched 4 or fewer go rushers, the Payments pressured him on 44% of his dropbacks, the best fee Mahomes has confronted this season in opposition to a normal go rush.
“It was nothing loopy, simply [them] bringing extra linebackers and smaller gamers than your conventional D-lineman,” Chiefs proper guard Trey Smith mentioned. “They've handled a number of accidents, in order that they needed to have just a little little bit of a distinct rush plan.”
When pressured, Mahomes accomplished simply 3 of 16 passes for 61 yards and an interception. Total, he accomplished 15 of 34 passes, the primary time in his nine-year profession that he was held beneath 50% passing, a streak of 142 video games (together with playoffs) that was an NFL document to start out a profession.
“They'd a extremely good plan, and so they have good go rushers,” mentioned Mahomes, who was sacked a season-high thrice. “After they're taking part in man-type coverages, and [we're] making an attempt to get some guys open down the sector, they did job of pushing the pocket. I've to be higher at working [within] the pocket, discovering completely different lanes to step up by means of. I've bought to be extra per that.”
Getting into Sunday's sport, the Chiefs have been permitting simply 16.4 factors per sport, the second fewest within the league. The Payments surpassed that within the first half, scoring 21 factors to take a snug lead. Quarterback Josh Allen beat the Chiefs' secondary by concentrating on tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, who mixed for seven receptions for 131 yards and a landing.
The Chiefs additionally could not make the Payments one-dimensional. James Prepare dinner III completed with 114 speeding yards, probably the most the Chiefs have surrendered to a operating again this season.
“A number of damaged tackles can result in that,” Chiefs go rusher Chris Jones mentioned. “They make the most of Prepare dinner an excellent deal of their offense. They'd very, superb playcalling in using Prepare dinner. We did not execute on our finish.”
The velocity of Prepare dinner and the success of Allen — the star QB accomplished 88.5% of his passes, the best share in Payments historical past (minimal 15 makes an attempt) — additionally showcased that the Chiefs' go rush nonetheless wants assist, which might be an space of focus for basic supervisor Brett Veach forward of Tuesday's commerce deadline.
“There's nonetheless room for enchancment,” Jones mentioned. “If we plan on profitable, particularly the entrance 4, we have got to have an effect on the quarterback. We have got to. It makes it simpler for the protection, and it makes it simpler for the backend. We have got to reap the benefits of one-on-one [matchups]. After we get a single block, you have to win. That is large going ahead. We have got to emphasise on profitable our one-on-ones.”
