After another thrilling overtime game, Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are heading to the Super Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs jumped out to a 21-3 lead at halftime but sputtered down the stretch to lose on another Evan McPherson game-winning field goal — something that has become the norm.
After the devastating loss, Patrick Mahomes had nobody to blame except for himself, especially after a disastrous second half that included a pair of interceptions.
The Chiefs offense sputters and gives the Bengals a ticket to the Super Bowl
At the half, the Chiefs were feeling good about their chances. Kansas City scored three touchdowns to start the game and were a couple of yards away from another score to go up 28-3.
Somehow, the talented offense hit a wall in the second half and scored just three points on a Harrison Butker field goal at the end of regulation. It was stunning, and the fact the Bengals answered time and time again was even more fascinating — although not entirely surprising given the season they have had.
Mahomes was off in the final two-plus quarters, and Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce couldn’t come up with a big play after they did so repeatedly against the Buffalo Bills the week before.
After the loss, Mahomes took accountability and shouldered the bulk of the blame.
Patrick Mahomes takes the blame for the offensive struggles in the second half
This game was a tale of two stories indeed. At intermission, it looked like the Chiefs were going to waltz their way to a third straight Super Bowl.
However, Mahomes was bad in the second half, and he was the first to admit that after the game (h/t The Athletic).
“I mean when you’re up 21-3 at one point in the game, you can’t lose it, and I put that on myself.”
Patrick Mahomes after loss to the Bengals
The Chiefs QB also added, “I gotta be better.”
Mahomes is right, and this isn’t the first time the Chiefs blew a big lead against the Bengals. The last time these teams met, they went up big before Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase came storming back to win the game.
After just two incompletions in the first half, Mahomes threw a pair of interceptions in the remainder of the game. The Bengals secondary held their own against the Chiefs’ weapons, and Mahomes couldn’t get anything going the rest of the game.
The Chiefs season comes to a screeching halt but Mahomes knows this team will be back
It isn’t easy to make it to three straight Super Bowls. Yet, the Chiefs were so close and played in their fourth consecutive AFC Championship Game.
If a couple of plays went their way — that final play of the first half will be discussed for a long time — Kansas City might be preparing for the Super Bowl.
Regardless, Mahomes knows this team will be back and sent a message to the fan base after the gut-wrenching loss.
The Chiefs don’t have a ton of decisions to make in the upcoming free agency period, and they should once again be a very appealing destination for players who want a chance to win a Super Bowl.
Mahomes also knows the standard the Chiefs have set — a Super Bowl.
If anything, this loss will fuel Mahomes and the Chiefs until the 2022 NFL season kicks off. Nonetheless, this team got off to a slow start, endured a struggling offense and a patchy defense, yet somehow made another marvelous run to the AFC title game, thanks mainly to the right arm of Mahomes.
This team isn’t going anywhere, but unfortunately, they won’t be playing football in February this year — except for those headed to the Pro Bowl.
Stats Courtesy of Pro Football Reference
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The post Patrick Mahomes Drops Honest Take After Chiefs Stunning Loss to the Bengals: ‘I Put That on Myself’ appeared first on Sportscasting | Pure Sports.
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By: Matthew Wadleigh
Title: Patrick Mahomes Drops Honest Take After Chiefs Stunning Loss to the Bengals: ‘I Put That on Myself’
Sourced From: www.sportscasting.com/patrick-mahomes-drops-honest-take-after-chiefs-stunning-loss-to-the-bengals-i-put-that-on-myself/
Published Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2022 02:30:04 +0000
