KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After beginning the season 0-2 for the primary time underneath Patrick Mahomes, a quiet Kansas Metropolis Chiefs crew mentioned the errors they made en path to a 20-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday’s much-anticipated Tremendous Bowl rematch
The defensive linemen went over sure performs within the locker room, together with the Philadelphia Eagles’ signature Tush Push. Linebackers Nick Bolton and Leo Chenal every mentioned they had been pissed whereas extensive receiver Hollywood Brown tried to clarify why the Chiefs offense has had back-to-back disjointed performances.
“It is only a lack of execution,” Brown mentioned. “It takes all 11 each single play. We have to get on the identical web page and do that each single play.”
Brown’s evaluation is correct. Mahomes had one other robust efficiency, however the unit made loads of unforced errors. The Chiefs struggled in short-yardage performs, a few of Mahomes’ passes had been batted down and the play calls from coach Andy Reid did not assist his quarterback when the Eagles blitzed 11 instances.
And but, the Chiefs had been simply six yards away from taking a 17-13 lead early within the fourth quarter. Mahomes was within the midst of main the Chiefs on a methodical drive to place strain on the NFL’s reigning champion. However the drive’s 14th play resulted in catastrophe as a fast go from Mahomes bounced off tight finish Travis Kelce ‘s palms and into the arms of rookie security Andrew Mukuba, who returned the interception 41 yards.
“We acquired the protection that we wished,” Mahomes mentioned of the interception. “I threw it only a tad too early, simply making an attempt to place it on [Kelce’s] physique low earlier than that [defender] acquired there. If I can put it extra on his physique and never to date out in entrance, then he can catch it and take the hit and get in the long run zone.”
One motive why lots of the Chiefs acknowledged how odd it felt to be 0-2 — Bolton, Chenal and go rusher Chris Jones included — was as a result of it was their errors that led to the Eagles scoring 10 factors within the second half.
The Chiefs’ first possession within the third quarter ended on a perplexing play name. On fourth-and-1, with the sport tied, Reid’s play required heart Creed Humphrey to drag on a entice for operating again Kareem Hunt. The Eagles’ defensive position crushed the Chiefs’ offensive line and the snap resulted in a one-yard loss. The Eagles used the brief subject to take a three-point lead on kicker Jake Elliott ‘s 51-yard subject objective.
“I will take full duty for that sport,” mentioned Reid, blaming himself for the loss. “I most likely stayed too aggressive (on offense). That is my duty. It is vital in opposition to that crew that you simply keep aggressive. I might’ve most likely dialed up some various things there. Towards them, you have to try this.”
For the second consecutive sport, Mahomes led the Chiefs with 66 dashing yards — none of his seven makes an attempt by design. In actual fact, Mahomes is the second quarterback since 1950 to file double every other participant on his crew in dashing yards in every of the primary two video games of a season, becoming a member of Cam Newton (2020).
The final time Reid had Mahomes run a quarterback sneak was Oct. 17, 2019, when Mahomes suffered a dislocated proper kneecap whereas lunging for a primary down. It was an damage that Reid, years later, acknowledged was a freak incidence.
“I am at all times as much as it,” Mahomes mentioned of doing one other quarterback sneak. “We have put it in [the game plan] sure video games. I simply belief in coach Reid and no matter he calls. We have put it in, and you need to get the precise look. We did not assume [the Eagles] had been going to present us that proper look this week.”
The Eagles capitalized on the sport’s lone turnover. Quarterback Jalen Hurts accomplished a 28-yard go to receiver DeVonta Smith to beat the Chiefs’ Cowl 0 blitz. That spotlight arrange Hurts’ 1-yard landing through the Tush Push. The Eagles’ 10-point lead within the fourth quarter was sufficient for them to exit Arrowhead Stadium with a victory, turning into the primary opponent to take action since Christmas Day in 2023 (Las Vegas Raiders).
“This is not how we wished to start out,” Mahomes mentioned. “However how are we going to reply? I am excited for the following few weeks to see who desires to be challenged and the way we will get again and actually get after it.
“I do know it sucks to listen to for the followers, however I really feel like we’re shut. All we will do is proceed to work.”
Whereas Mahomes largely did his job on Sunday, his circumstances will not be superb. An argument could be made that the most important motive the Chiefs have not discovered their rhythm on offense is as a result of Mahomes is working with out three of his receivers — Rashee Rice (serving a six-game suspension to start out the season), Xavier Worthy (proper shoulder) and rookie Jalen Royals (proper knee).
The Chiefs are optimistic Worthy will play subsequent week in opposition to the New York Giants, however how efficient he’ll be, whereas carrying a harness, stays a big query.
Kelce led the Chiefs with 61 yards, however his mistake doomed the crew’s comeback try. Because the Chiefs walked off the sphere, defensive finish George Karlaftis tapped Kelce on the chest.
“I imply, that is my man,” Karlaftis mentioned of Kelce, who did not discuss to reporters. “That is us saying, ‘Again to work.’ That is what it’s, win or loss. The loss stings and we will study rather a lot from it. We’ll rally behind one another.”