Patrick Mahomes isn’t panicking. Despite the Kansas City Chiefs’ uneven 5–4 start, the three-time MVP insists this year’s team is more talented and more dangerous than last season’s championship group.
Kansas City Quarterback Confident Offense Has More Weapons, Calls for Consistency
The Chiefs entered their bye week reeling from a tough 28-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but Mahomes believes the defeat doesn’t tell the full story.
“We’ve had great moments, and we’ve had bad moments,” Mahomes said. “We’ve got to be more consistent as a team. I’ve got to be more consistent at quarterback, and we’ve got to be able to battle.
Staying Confident in a Tight Division Race
The Chiefs currently sit two games behind the Denver Broncos in the AFC West standings, a position that might have raised alarm bells in previous seasons. But Mahomes says there’s no reason to panic, reminding fans that Kansas City still has two head-to-head meetings with Denver to close the gap.
“I know what we’re capable of because we’ve been here and done it,” Mahomes said. “We’ve got to learn from it, but we’ve got to do it now. There can’t be any room for complacency. There’s no easy game coming up, and there are no more chances for losses.”
Kansas City’s remaining schedule includes matchups with the Broncos (twice), Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, and Cowboys, all teams fighting for playoff positioning.
For Mahomes, the bye week provides a crucial opportunity to reset and refocus.
“We’ve got to get back and get ourselves right,” he said. “You can only learn so much from losses. Those lessons eventually have to turn into wins. It’s going to be an uphill battle when we get back, but I think our guys are up to it.”
Defensive Leaders Call for Urgency
While Mahomes focuses on offensive rhythm, several Chiefs defenders echoed the call for improvement. Linebackers Drue Tranquill and Leo Chenal, along with cornerback Trent McDuffie, all admitted the defense hasn’t matched its early-season form.
Tranquill said the defense “didn’t play our best ball” against Buffalo, citing a lack of physicality and energy.
“I thought Buffalo had more energy than us and was more physical early on,” Tranquill said. “We have to take the lessons.”
Chenal pointed to issues with run fits that led to “leaky yards” in key moments.
“It’s obviously a letdown,” he said. “We all know we didn’t play well enough. We have to hit top gear.”
McDuffie emphasized the need for sharper communication and mental focus.
As defenders, we have to be alert at all times,” McDuffie said. “Whether we’re in man coverage or zone, we have to execute our roles. At this level, we can’t allow ourselves to get tricked by misdirection.”
A Team Built for the Long Haul
For now, Mahomes remains confident the Chiefs’ championship DNA will shine through once again. The veteran quarterback said the group’s experience in overcoming adversity gives him faith that a midseason surge is coming.
“It’s going to be a grind,” Mahomes said. “But that’s when we’re at our best, when our backs are against the wall.”
With the season entering its decisive stretch, Mahomes and the Chiefs will look to turn lessons into wins and prove that their dynasty isn’t slowing down.
The Broncos host the Chiefs for a Week 11 showdown.
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