Defenses across the NFL have limited big plays and gaudy offensive stats throughout the first two weeks of the 2024 season.
Scoring and yardage totals are down from previous years. Offenses are being forced to be patient and take what defenses give them. After a few series of not having much success, some offenses begin to force things downfield, resulting in mistakes.
This is something that the Kansas City Chiefs have become very familiar with over the last couple of seasons. Ever since losing wide receiver Tyreek Hill after the 2021 season, the Chiefs' offense has struggled with the deep passing game. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has had to take a different approach with his attack as defenses prioritize limiting him pushing the ball deep downfield.
The Chiefs sought out to solve that issue during the offseason by acquiring speedy receivers Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy. Unfortunately, Brown suffered a shoulder injury during preseason and may not see the field at all this season, delivering a major blow to Kansas City's vertical passing attack.
Mahomes once again finds himself having to rein in his approach a bit. He threw for a career low 151 yards in last week's win over the Cincinnati Bengals and has already thrown three interceptions on the season. While speaking to the media on Wednesday, Mahomes acknowledged that he needs to be more detail oriented as defenses clamp down on him.
"I think this last week, in general, I didn't play to my standard," Mahomes said. "So, I think I have to be better. There was some opportunities down the middle areas of the field that I think I missed. We hit, obviously the deep one to Rashee (Rice), but whenever teams take away the deep stuff, you have throw it underneath. But, you still have to have the ability to threaten the middle of the field. So, that's something that I will continue to do, and limiting mistakes for myself. But, I think across the league, I think teams are just going to make you drive the entire field. I think that's just kind of the thought process and then try not to let you score in the in the red zone. But, there are opportunities out there, and you just have to execute at a higher level. There's not as many as maybe I've had previously."
Mahomes is known to get antsy at times and force a throw that he shouldn't, but he also knows when to play it safe. He often closes tight games out by taking what the defense gives him, even if that means tucking the ball and running it himself. Now that other offenses around the league are experiencing what the Chiefs have, perhaps they have a leg up on knowing how to handle it.
