NFL: Shannon Sharpe fires at Patrick Mahomes' performance

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs lost another key game in Week 16, this time the loss was against the Las Vegas Raiders 14-20. So far they have lost four of the last six games.

Statistically, Mahomes isn’t a total wreck. He’s completing passes, throwing touchdowns, and racking up yards. But the magic, the effortless brilliance, that usually makes him an unstoppable force, feels strangely absent and there is where Shannon Sharpe threw his ‘fire’ against him.

Mahomes is forcing throws, missing open receivers, and his trademark improvisational wizardry seems to be grounded. But the good news is that the Chiefs still have enough time, 2 weeks, to reach the playoffs where they will have to make some adjustments.

Shannon Sharpes’ words against Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has faced criticism for the team’s recent struggles, including four losses in the past six games. The latest defeat came at home against the Las Vegas Raiders, a surprising 14-20 loss. Following the game, ESPN analyst Shannon Sharpe commented on Mahomes’ performance, stating that he hasn’t been playing up to his usual high standards.

Patrick Mahomes quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs during a 2023 NFL season game with the franchise

Sharpe specifically pointed to Mahomes’ tendency to take unnecessary risks with the ball, sometimes jeopardizing the team’s position even during positive stretches of the game.

He emphasized that this is a significant departure from the Mahomes fans are accustomed to seeing, adding that the Chiefs’ offensive line hasn’t been performing at its best throughout the season.

Whatever the reason, the impact is undeniable. The Chiefs offense sputters, often relying on their stellar defense to carry the day. Their once-impressive scoring outputs have become pedestrian, and doubters question whether Mahomes and the Chiefs can rediscover their championship form.

Does the blame for losses always fall on the quarterbacks?

No, the blame for losses rarely falls solely on the quarterback. Football is a complex team sport, and numerous factors contribute to wins and losses. There are some of the other variables that can play a role like: running game, wide receivers, offensive line, coaching.

What could Patrick Mahomes do to improve his game?

Mahomes is already a phenomenal quarterback, but even the best can find room for improvement. There Here are some areas he could focus on: Decision-making, pocket awareness, accuracy, reading defenses and leadership. Mahomes has faced a tough schedule and his offensive line hasn’t been at its best this season. However, focusing on these areas could help him regain his peak.