Qin Shi Huang, the founding member of the prestigious Qin dynasty and the first emperor of China, is known for some rather impressive feats. Certainly, joining the Great Wall of China and constructing the gargantuan terracotta soldiers' mausoleum (if you haven't seen it, it's probably worth a quick Google) usually presents one with an extensive Wikipedia page but there was an issue: he had a fateful flaw.
You may be curious as to how this correlates to a modern day sportsman who slings a piece of egg-shaped leather about but don't fret, there is a method to this comparison. For Qin Shi Huang was obsessed with the idea of immortality. Like many stinking rich and authoritative leaders in the (very) olden days, they were rather contented with their affluent lives and so the idea of death blew fear into their minds. On the quest for immortality, Qin Shi Huang is believed to have croaked while chasing his own ego. Swallowing pills of mercury usually does that.
Now, we're not saying mercury is laden around Arrowhead, Kansas City's imperial red coliseum, but there is something peculiar, something unforeseen about the events occurring in the Midwest: it's nearly November and the Kansas City Chiefs are 3-4.
Prior to Sunday's humiliating loss in Tennessee — where the Chiefs yielded a striking 277 yards in the opening half alone — the bulk of their previous losses arrived via slim margin. It was the offense that had been redeeming it's defence but no, not this time as they succumbed to inept embarrassment. And whose fault might that be? Patrick Mahomes. The Quarterback pursuing his ego, and failing, increasingly.
For some added context, Kansas City currently rank highest in points allowed, yards allowed, yards per play allowed and first downs allowed. Whilst we're at it, it's probably worth mentioning that they rank second-worst in passing, rushing and receiving yards allowed. By every conceivable stat imaginable, it points stern fingers to a defence that really isn't very good, or at least has yet to show a degree of life.
Don’t lose sight of the fact the Chiefs effectively handed the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Tom Brady and his Buccaneers. That meeting was an annihilation; the first of many messes. Was it this that ignited the trend? Indeed their defence has depleted somewhat since that famous February night in Tampa but there's arguably a more significant cause for concern: mystical Mahomes himself.
An elite talent, duh, but it's almost like his ego is rapidly catching up with him. Just observe as the flaunting intensifies with each passing week as it were if every play has to be of the highest heavenly perfection like of some intangible deity. No, Patrick, you're human, don't forget that.
The three-time Pro Bowler ties with rookie Zach Wilson for the most interceptions but also ranks third and fourth highest for Touchdown passes and passing yards respectively. James Winston, is that you? Probably a tad too soon for such comparisons, but the caveats are littered along the yard lines as the possibility of a season away from the playoffs begins to creep in with an intensified reality.
The Chiefs played Superbowl LV without both of their starting offensive tackles: Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher. And yes, they lost, badly. So what did they do 32 days after falling substantially short of the mark? Release Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher. Accomplished veterans of the sport, their legacies in the Show Me State expiring without a final breath. Their absence is showing: Mahomes has been pressured (hurries + hits + sacks) 74 times so far in 2021, the third highest overall. And when a Quarterback is pressured they tend to rush things. And when they rush things they tend to throw interceptions. It’s starting to make sense.
But Mahomes isn't accustomed to this. Since his inception into the NFL during the backend of the 2017 season he has seldom had the need to fling the ball out of the pocket quickly. Now it’s all a bit more challenging. And with this imperious Herculean reputation hovering over his helmet, Mahomes’ style of excellency — where everything must be perfection — has simply laid the foundations for his own spiralling downfall.
What we’re witnessing then is a generational Quarterback who is feeling the immense pressure of having a flimsy defence and a hollow offensive line. Like a hot knife through yellow butter their tame tacklers on both teams have wilted in their demise. Opposing teams have scored 203 points against Kansas and it’s a mere seven games into the schedule. A quick scribble on an adjacent piece of parchment indicates that to be an average of 29 points per game. That’s worse than the 0-7 Detroit Lions.
And whilst we’re fixated on the one team in question, shift your minds to those other franchises gently ascending the AFC West. The Los Angeles Chargers, the Las Vegas Raiders, the Denver Broncos (yeah, never mind). Yet the teams from Nevada and California have glistened under the searing sun. The first boasting a 5-2 record, the other is 4-2, and it was Justin Herbert who outplayed and outwitted Mahomes in a 30-24 win in Week 3. The last time Kansas City failed to top their division? 2015. Pressure is not only felt on the field.
Chuck it all into the bubbling cauldron and the potion reeks of disappointment. This isn't all on the man with the ball in hand but sometimes quarterbacks need to adapt, accept it when things don’t fall the way you want it. The simpler task of the Giants beckons before three season-defining fixtures follow in Green Bay, Las Vegas and Dallas. Only after this stretch will we learn the true psyche of Mahomes.
Watch with intrigue and scrutiny. Observe how they conduct themselves, how they respond. Digest the fact that the Kansas City Chiefs’ reign high amongst Astraeus' stars has detonated in a startling, sudden supernova.
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