Patrick Mahomes’ Abnormal Behavior After Chiefs-Panthers Game

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Carolina Panthers 30-27 in what turned out to be nail-biter of a game Week 12

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns, along with five carries for 60 yards. After connecting the wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in the red zone, Mahomes tied Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson for most passing touchdowns in franchise history.

However, the three-time Super Bowl MVP also got sacked five times. Before Sunday's game the Chiefs offensive line allowed a total of 12 sacks on the season. Kansas City lost a 14-point lead to eke out a win over a team they were heavily favored to destroy.

While the Chiefs are no strangers to winning uncomfortably close games, this particular matchup didn't sit well with Mahomes.

The Athletic's Nate Taylor reported, "Unlike most days after a game, quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn't chat with many teammates in the locker room."

The 29-year-old quarterback wasn't alone in his unusual behavior. Taylor noted how wide receiver Xavier Worthy exited "stone faced" and several Chiefs defenders "left the locker room with their heads bowed."

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid must've sensed the abnormal vibes and sent a strong message to Mahomes and Co. "So look, I don't want to see anybody hanging their head, men," Reid said.

"This league is crazy. That's the way this thing goes. You saw it yesterday with college football. Nothing's given to you. And you're getting their best shot."

"So you keep your heads up, men. And you get this thing rolling. We've got some things we've got to clean up. But we keep it rolling here. That's the important part. Winning is the important part right here. And you guys beared down and got it done."

Speaking to reporters after the game, Mahomes made it clear that he's hungry for a dominant win.

"You want to have some blowouts and be a little calmer in the fourth quarter," he said. "But I've always said it can be a good thing as you get to the playoffs, just knowing that you've been in those moments before and how to attack it play by play.

"I would say this more than anybody: I would love to win a game not by the very last play."

Next up, the Chiefs host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 13.