Love your work! Not that I would normally ask but given the magnitude of that game and how it will live on as one of the greatest games ever played could you chart Josh Allen as well. That dude is no Mahomes but dang he played lights out as well. Would love to see your charts and comparison on the duel.
Seth, one thing that stuck out to me on that final play is how we rarely we see Mahomes do those kind of lob, back shoulder type throws to receivers. At least in my memory, it’s not something the Chiefs rely on and instead rely on scheming someone more traditionally open. I think there may have been a pass like that to Pringle in the Steelers game but it wasn’t in tight coverage like this one.
It’s something Burrow and Chase did to us a bunch, I wonder if the Chiefs will dial up more of those plays in the future? Seems like a powerful option when you have solid chemistry between QB and receiver (or in this case, TE).
I don't watch any NFL games besides the Chiefs so I didn't fully appreciate how special Mahomes (and Allen) are. For reasons, I watched the Vikings-Bears 'highlights' from week 18. Dalton and Cousins - woof! It was shocking to see 4th down plays that don't convert (Blake Bell and the coaches are so glad we won). Even the highlight throws were bad.
As you show - Sunday night's game was extra special. Seemed a lot like the Rams and the AFC champ games from '18 except this time the Chiefs won!!
The "throw to the window" snapshot was great. How often does Mahomes do this or attempt this in a game? How often do other QBs do this? How common is this type of throw? Thx
Thank you for another great write up. I especially appreciated how you showed that this happened against a defense that was playing well, and executing their plan. So much of what I've heard about this game is how bad the defenses played. The chiefs D could have played better, but they were missing a couple of important pieces. Anyway, glad to see credit given where it is due. Both QB's were historically amazing, and Mahomes in particular did this against top level competition.
If you add the level of competition and the stakes, I think this is the best game he has ever played. That is saying A LOT! If Tom Brady was our quarterback, the Bills would be in the AFCCG.
I knew he had multiple reads but 16 seems crazy. Zero missed shots. Only 1 happy feet!! Your analysis is always eye opening and backs the Perfect Game narrative. I will never take PM2 for granted. And watching him find Josh Allen after the game reminds me that not everything he does that's special can be charted.
The sheer little kid "that's not fair" frustration is so obvious on the 3rd down overtime conversion to Kelce. He guesses right goes full speed to the roll out, and Pat throws around him anyway. He just throws his arms down and jumps up and down. The next step for a kid would have been t flop on the ground and freak out! :) It really wasn't fair and thank God 15's on our team!
I continue to wonder if that early-season slump was essential to what's happening now. We all know the narrative was over-blown, but I think it's fair to say if a team had to pick between out-of-structure Mahomes and in-structure Mahomes, it was an easy choice: while in-structure Mahomes has been very good, out-of-structure Mahomes has been generational. That he adjusted so drastically (and so quickly!) and is now performing at an elite level both inside and outside of structure? Just, sheesh, man.
"Blue Oyster Cult: The Reaper" in the back ground EVERY TIME Mahomes gets introduced from now on. You heard it here first. :)
Love your work! Not that I would normally ask but given the magnitude of that game and how it will live on as one of the greatest games ever played could you chart Josh Allen as well. That dude is no Mahomes but dang he played lights out as well. Would love to see your charts and comparison on the duel.
Seth, one thing that stuck out to me on that final play is how we rarely we see Mahomes do those kind of lob, back shoulder type throws to receivers. At least in my memory, it’s not something the Chiefs rely on and instead rely on scheming someone more traditionally open. I think there may have been a pass like that to Pringle in the Steelers game but it wasn’t in tight coverage like this one.
It’s something Burrow and Chase did to us a bunch, I wonder if the Chiefs will dial up more of those plays in the future? Seems like a powerful option when you have solid chemistry between QB and receiver (or in this case, TE).
I don't watch any NFL games besides the Chiefs so I didn't fully appreciate how special Mahomes (and Allen) are. For reasons, I watched the Vikings-Bears 'highlights' from week 18. Dalton and Cousins - woof! It was shocking to see 4th down plays that don't convert (Blake Bell and the coaches are so glad we won). Even the highlight throws were bad.
As you show - Sunday night's game was extra special. Seemed a lot like the Rams and the AFC champ games from '18 except this time the Chiefs won!!
The "throw to the window" snapshot was great. How often does Mahomes do this or attempt this in a game? How often do other QBs do this? How common is this type of throw? Thx
Thank you for another great write up. I especially appreciated how you showed that this happened against a defense that was playing well, and executing their plan. So much of what I've heard about this game is how bad the defenses played. The chiefs D could have played better, but they were missing a couple of important pieces. Anyway, glad to see credit given where it is due. Both QB's were historically amazing, and Mahomes in particular did this against top level competition.
Mahomes was freaking incredible. It's hard to overstate how much he willed this team to victory.
Is it just me, or does Pat throw a hook in the sidearm throw in your second clip? It's like a golfer hooking a ball left to go around a tree.
It may be optical illusion caused by camera & player motion, but I swear that thing is hooking left.
I get so wrapped up in emotion during the game. These articles help me afterward to be more discerning. I appreciate you, Seth
If you add the level of competition and the stakes, I think this is the best game he has ever played. That is saying A LOT! If Tom Brady was our quarterback, the Bills would be in the AFCCG.
I would be interested in your thoughts on what KC needs to do this time to win against the Bengals. Keep me busy while I wait for Sunday afternoon 😁
I knew he had multiple reads but 16 seems crazy. Zero missed shots. Only 1 happy feet!! Your analysis is always eye opening and backs the Perfect Game narrative. I will never take PM2 for granted. And watching him find Josh Allen after the game reminds me that not everything he does that's special can be charted.
The sheer little kid "that's not fair" frustration is so obvious on the 3rd down overtime conversion to Kelce. He guesses right goes full speed to the roll out, and Pat throws around him anyway. He just throws his arms down and jumps up and down. The next step for a kid would have been t flop on the ground and freak out! :) It really wasn't fair and thank God 15's on our team!
I continue to wonder if that early-season slump was essential to what's happening now. We all know the narrative was over-blown, but I think it's fair to say if a team had to pick between out-of-structure Mahomes and in-structure Mahomes, it was an easy choice: while in-structure Mahomes has been very good, out-of-structure Mahomes has been generational. That he adjusted so drastically (and so quickly!) and is now performing at an elite level both inside and outside of structure? Just, sheesh, man.
Fantastic article Seth!
With the quick pocket decisions, he's Tom Brady 2.0 with the added ability to accurately throw on the run.
Go Chiefs!