The Kansas City Chiefs were shut out in the second half of a game for the third straight week, falling 21-17 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football in Week 11.
In the end, turnovers and drops proved insurmountable.
“I told you I said I got concerns,” Hall-of-Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe said on “Nightcap” on November 20. “ I said … at some point in time, he’s not even enough to overcome the inadequate play they get from their skill position.”
Shannon Sharpe: Patrick Mahomes ‘Not Enough’ to Overcome Chiefs’ Issues
Patrick Mahomes Mired in Sluggish Season
Mahomes is on pace to post the fewest passing yards, lowest touchdown rate, and second-highest interception rate of his storied career. Coming off his second Super Bowl win, there are myriad reasons for the step back from Mahomes and the offense. But, perhaps chief among them, they rank second in the NFL in drops with 25.
They had four on Monday night, with one of them being a would-be touchdown that fell through the outstretched hands of Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Chiefs had a chance to score the go-ahead TD on this play 😬 pic.twitter.com/lFR4oMLOna
— ESPN (@espn) November 21, 2023
Mahomes took partial blame for the miss, saying he could have taken a little off the pass.
Sharpe also shared sentiments about the near-catch similar to those expressed by former Chiefs star Tyreek Hill, now of the Miami Dolphins that making that grab is far from as easy as some might want to believe, calling it the “hardest one” to make.
He also said that Valdes-Scantling is a “body-catcher” rather than someone who attacks the ball with their hands, adding to the difficulty of him making that play. Valdes-Scantling – who ranks seventh on the team in targets this season – was visibly frustrated as he walked down the tunnel after the game, slamming his helmet into the wall with his hand.
The Chiefs also committed both of their turnovers – an interception from Mahomes and a fumble by tight end Travis Kelce – in the red zone, directly preventing themselves from scoring.
Valdes-Scantling did not take it lightly at all.
“I’m grateful, I’ll be better,” Valdes-Scantling posted on X the day after the game. “And I appreciate the criticism and the support. God put this on me because he knew I could handle it. Gratitude for everything that comes with it.”
Chiefs Losing on the Margins
Valdes-Scantling was not the only transgressor. Fellow wideout Justin Watson led the team with five receptions for 53 yards and one touchdown on 11 targets. But he too had a critical pass on 4th-and-25 go through his hands, sealing the Chiefs’ fate. It’s an issue that has recurringly plagued them since Kadarius Toney’s three-drop performance in the season opener.
Sharpe and his co-host, former Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Johnson, also discussed the Chiefs passing on adding anyone at the trade deadline this season. They named Tennesee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins as a potential target that would have helped. Tennessee, though, held on to Hopkins and running back Derrick Henry in hopes of receiving a substantial offer that never came. And the Chiefs were not very active on the trade market anyway.
The Chiefs also need to be wary of losing ground to the fast-rising Denver Broncos.
Main Photo: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
