Patrick Mahomes' third straight four-TD game fuels Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs have as many touchdown passes, 26, through a half-season as they had through all of 2017.

The most significant change is at quarterback, of course, where Patrick Mahomes has replaced Alex Smith.

“We’ve put together an interesting offense over the offseason with the pieces we grabbed,’’ Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said. “Pat is 100 percent a part of that. You can’t say he’s not.’’

The Chiefs still have respect for Smith, a popular player in their locker room in his five seasons as their starter. But it’s just as obvious their offensive capabilities with Mahomes at quarterback are far greater.

 

Patrick Mahomes became the first player since 2004 (Peyton Manning) to throw for four TDs in three straight games. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

That was again on display Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, where the Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos 30-23 to raise their record to 7-1. Mahomes threw four touchdown passes, something that for him is becoming routine. He has five games with at least four touchdown passes, including the last three.

Putting that into perspective from a team standpoint, the Chiefs had 21 such games in their 58 seasons before Mahomes became their starter. From an NFL perspective, just two quarterbacks have thrown more than 26 touchdown passes in the first eight games of a season.

Both players, Tom Brady in 2007 and Peyton Manning in 2013, went on to become the NFL MVP and will be in the Hall of Fame.

“I wouldn’t just say it’s the quarterback,’’ Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “That’s not fair to Alex. He did a great job when he was here. But (Mahomes) is a part of it. Patrick has done a nice job. I’m not slighting that at all.’’

Mahomes similarly deflected credit for the improved passing game.

“Just (moving) the ball around, guys making plays,’’ he said. “I feel like (the Chiefs are) running the scheme the way we’re supposed to run it. Coach Reid is calling great plays and we’re getting those lucky chances and those lucky plays where we get into the end zone.

“It’s all about getting the ball out of my hand. That’s the biggest thing for me. As long as I’m getting the ball out of my hand, there’s a good chance good things are happening . . . I’m just getting it to the playmakers and they’re scoring touchdowns.’’

Mahomes threw two touchdown passes to Sammy Watkins and one each to Travis Kelce and Kareem Hunt. He finished 24-of-34 for 303 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.

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