20 August 2023 , 22:48
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After winning the Super Bowl on just one functioning ankle, it would be common to assume that Patrick Mahomes has done everything unthinkable you could imagine in the NFL.
But during the 2023 pre-season he's already stunned fans with another moment of unique brilliance, throwing the ball while in mid-air and hovering out of bounds. The pass unfortunately wasn't a completion as it was just out of the reach of wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but the effort itself was commendable.
The Chiefs beat the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night to earn their first win of pre-season, destroying their opponents 38-10 at the same stadium they lifted the Lombardi Trophy in back in February. Poetically they scored the same amount of points as they did when they came back to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35.
They lost their first pre-season game 26-24 against the New Orleans Saints, although Mahomes only made two throws before being pulled by head coach Andy Reid. Against the Cardinals that was different, as Mahomes went 10 for 15 and threw a touchdown.
Mahomes ended his shift with 105 passing yards before being replaced, but it was a great evening for every quarterback that represented the Chiefs. Shane Buechele matched Mahomes' total of 105 yards, and also did so with 10 passing completions.
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Buechele only made 10 attempts, ending his cameo with perfect accuracy but without a touchdown. Blaine Gabbert stood out going seven for eight, but left the field with two touchdowns and 120 yards.
Chris Oladokun then went four for five and accumulated 63 yards, on a very promising night for the Chiefs roster. But even though there weren't many missed efforts all night, it was Mahomes' incompletion that went viral.
Mahomes is back to full fitness and looking to lead the Chiefs to their third Super Bowl title under coach Reid next season, and their third since 2019. Mahomes announced himself on the world stage when he inspired a stunning comeback in Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Chiefs trailed by 10 points heading into the fourth quarter, and Mahomes took no prisoners as 21 points were scored unanswered and they won the game 31-20. The Chiefs headed straight back to the Super Bowl the following year, although they were outclassed by Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-9.
They then lost in the AFC Championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals, as Joe Burrow continues to be a problem for Mahomes. Last year the Chiefs were written off when Mahomes suffered a high-ankle sprain early in the playoffs, but even when limping he took them all the way to the title.