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Oct 27, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws the ball against pressure from Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Patrick Mahomes’ interception issue isn’t going unnoticed
Oct 27, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws the ball against pressure from Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Patrick Mahomes has earned his reputation as the NFL’s best quarterback; that’s a fact, not an opinion. Yet, there’s one issue that’s been making the two-time MVP look a bit off his game lately, and DeAndre Hopkins wasn’t an instant fix: Mahomes can’t stop throwing interceptions.
Heading into the Week 8 showdown against the Las Vegas Raiders, Mahomes had eight interceptions this season with just six touchdown passes, throwing at least one pick in each of the Chiefs’ six games.
Even against a Raiders defense that’s been generous to passing offenses, he repeated the pattern in Sunday’s third quarter. Facing pressure from Vegas, Mahomes threw a pass that was tipped up and intercepted by Tre’von Moehrig.
Mahomes has the lowest average air yards in the league this season
Mahomes is a playmaker by nature. His magic has always been his ability to avoid risky throws. During his first full season, he had 12 interceptions, but over the next two years, he only threw 11.
Last season, he set a career high with 14 picks, his touchdown count dropping to 27, showing his struggle with a new and less compatible receiving corps. Yet, during the playoffs, he avoided any turnover-worthy throws until the Super Bowl.
Patrick Mahomes' 8 interceptions: 1- Bad throw 2- Bad 3- Incredible play ( low % throw) 4- Bad 5- Bad 6- Bounced off a WR hands 7- tipped at LOS 8- WR fell down after ball thrown Does he need to be better? Yes. Is it all on him? No. #ChiefsKingdompic.twitter.com/fX0B7GKVex
This season, turnovers are back. He’s already hit eight interceptions, putting him on a path toward his worst total yet – with six of these from clean pockets. According to Pro Football Focus, he currently has the highest turnover-worthy throw rate of his career.
Not all of those interceptions rest solely on Mahomes. Some were tipped balls; others came from impressive defensive plays (opposing players get paid, too!). But given the offense’s adjustments, these turnovers are more costly than in past years.
Hopkins, as talented as he is, isn’t a solo solution. At 32, his best days may be behind him, but his reliable hands would be an upgrade from Mahomes’ current options this season.
The Chiefs entered Week 8 allowing the fifth-fewest points per game
By Week 8, Kansas City’s defense was allowing the fifth-fewest points per game (17.2), one of only eight teams keeping opponents under 20 points on average. And time and again, they’ve delivered clutch stops in key moments, like the one after Mahomes’ interception against the Raiders.
A touchdown at that moment could have given the Raiders a 20-17 lead, shifting momentum their way. Instead, Spagnuolo’s defense turned things around, lifting the weight off Mahomes’ shoulders.
So, is Mahomes’ interception surge a reason to panic? Not quite—not yet, anyway. It may not look great, but thanks to Spagnuolo and the Chiefs’ defense holding up at an elite level, Kansas City remains undefeated. Without that support, it’s hard to imagine the Chiefs would still have a spotless record.
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