The ongoing saga of the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets just added a late-developing twist. Jets head coach Robert Saleh took to the podium after his team’s 20-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles and expressed how well he thinks his defense has performed this season, particularly against opposing quarterbacks.
That includes Patrick Mahomes.
“Through this first six weeks, we’ve played a gauntlet of quarterbacks,” Saleh said on October 15. “And I know we have gotten all wins. But we’ve embarrassed all of them. And [I’m] really, really proud of the defense, and its resolve.”
Robert Saleh: Jets Have ‘Embarrassed’ Every QB This Season
Jets’ Defense Was Tough Test for Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
“I made two just bad throws,” Mahomes said of the two interceptions he threw in the 23-20 victory over the Jets in Week 4 via CBS Sports on October 1. “I tried to lay it over a linebacker and a safety, and I just didn’t throw it far enough. It hit the dude right in the chest. Something you can’t do. But I was proud how the guys fought … But obviously, a lot to learn from and a lot to correct.”
The Chiefs notched the win over the Jets. But Mahomes completed 60% of his passes, his second-lowest mark of the season. He also had his lowest passing yardage total (203 yards) and threw one touchdown to two interceptions. Mahomes was sacked just once but he was under duress for much of the game. New York’s defense has been stout, though. They rank just 24th in sacks with 11 on the season. But they also rank eighth with eight interceptions and 11th in pressure rate, per Pro Football Reference.
With the win, the Chiefs certainly got the last laugh. But Saleh’s point is a bold one nonetheless, and the head coach isn’t the only member of the Jets who is hanging their hat on the showing versus the Chiefs.
Breece Hall is asked if the #Jets made a statement by playing the Chiefs the way they did & now beating the Eagles, that this team is a legitimate contender:
“I feel like we sent that message game one. We can compete with any team in the league.”
pic.twitter.com/4hPtLR03FO— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) October 16, 2023
That was Mahomes’ only game of the season with multiple interceptions. He has five total for the season to 11 passing touchdowns.
It has certainly seemed to spark crisper play. Mahomes averaged 267.7 passing yards over the first three weeks of the season, completing 65.5% of his passes. His completion percentage was largely due to completing just 53.8% of his passes in the season-opening loss against the Detroit Lions. He completed 71.6% of his passes in the other two contests in that stretch. But he’s been even sharper over the last two weeks.
Patrick Mahomes Rounding Into Form at Perfect Time
The two-time MVP is completing 75.3% of his passes for 587 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. While the offense is still not clicking on all cylinders, they are still ninth in the NFL in scoring at 24.5 points per game. And the defense has been stout, allowing 14.7 points per game, the second-best mark in the league through six-plus weeks.
That bodes well for the Chiefs moving forward, and their schedule for the rest of the season is far from daunting.
They have just four matchups against teams that look like playoff contenders: the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and Cincinnati Bengals. And just five of their remaining 11 games are on the road, with only two occurring in back-to-back weeks.
Main Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
