December 6, 2020, Kansas City, MO, USA: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks for an open receiver in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City USA - ZUMAm67_ 20201206_zaf_m67_083 Copyright: xJillxToyoshibax
The Kansas City Chiefs allowed a 21-3 lead to slip against the Cincinnati Bengals to lose the AFC Championship Game on home soil at Arrowhead Stadium. Patrick Mahomes put on a clinic for the majority of the first half, but a mistake regarding the clock just before the interval resulted in a dramatic collapse from the quarterback and his offense.
Mahomes lost confidence and rhythm after the miscalculation and threw a costly interception to allow the Bengals to break back into the game. He then almost fumbled the game away in regulation before Harrison Butker leveled the scores with a field goal.
However, Mahomes made one final mistake to present the Bengals with the AFC Championship, throwing a second interception that allowed Joe Burrow to drive the visitors down the field before Evan McPherson sent them to the Super Bowl.
Mahomes now has to watch Burrow and the Bengals in the Super Bowl where one of the best Superbowl prop bets will be to back Cincinnati to take their first possession of the game for a touchdown, considering the hot streak of form the quarterback is on entering the title game. Whereas Burrow was clutch at the moment, Mahomes faltered under the spotlight.
The Chiefs quarterback has blown the NFL away with his exceptional talent on the field and ability to produce truly outstanding feats under pressure, none more so than his late heroics against the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round. He led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl in 50 years by producing a special comeback over the San Francisco 49ers two years ago. Mahomes’ performances alone have turned the franchise from a pretender to a perennial contender for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
On the other hand, you cannot ignore his faults that have crept into facets of his play under pressure. Against the New England Patriots in the 2018 AFC Championship Game, the Chiefs were too quiet in the first half and only a comeback allowed them to remain competitive before falling to an overtime defeat.
In their run to the Super Bowl in the 2019 season, Mahomes and company fell behind all three of their playoff opponents before eventually rallying and winning each contest. It is a testament to their character that they were able to rise to the occasion, but it further highlights the down periods that the Chiefs offense has been through in the past.
Mahomes and Kansas City had the opportunity to become the first repeat champion since the 2004 Patriots the last term but were comprehensively beaten by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 26-year-old was not at fault at all in the defeat, despite scoring only nine points, he did everything in his power to allow his team to be competitive, but it was not going to happen on that occasion.
The defeat in the AFC Championship Game to the Bengals is a concern. At times during the 2021 season, Mahomes and his teammates were not on the same page and the usual explosive offense was stymied by opposing defenses. Kansas City used their experience and nous to find their way into the playoffs and was clutch against the Bills when it mattered the most. However, the final minute of the first half and the entire second half against the Bengals demonstrated their flaws, including overconfidence and a lack of discipline.
The talent on the roster will allow the Chiefs to compete now and in the future, but unless they can maintain their focus in key moments, further championships will evade them.