Sep 16, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Kansas City won 42-37. Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
If any doubts lingered about Patrick Mahomes as the starting quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, he erased those concerns with six touchdown passes on Sunday in a 42-37 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
Mahomes, a first-year starter, now has 10 touchdown passes in the first two games of the season, the most by an NFL quarterback in the first two games of a season since at least 1950. He bettered the nine thrown by Peyton Manning (2013), Drew Brees (2009) and Charley Johnson (1965).
With 10 touchdowns passes through his first three NFL starts dating to Week 17 in 2017, that gave Mahomes the record for a quarterback in the first three games of a career. Marcus Mariota and Mark Rypien threw for eight touchdown passes in the first three games of their careers.
“You never expect to have 10 touchdowns at this point in the season,” Mahomes told reporters after the game, “but I knew with this offense and the weapons that we have, and the scheme coach (Andy) Reid drawn up, that we had a chance to be really, really good and that the possibilities are endless.”
Mahomes completed 23 of 28 passes for 326 yards and six touchdowns, tying a franchise record for touchdown passes in a game set by Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson in 1964.
The Chiefs bolted out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and appeared on their way to a blowout victory. But the Steelers fought back behind quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, rallying to tie the score before the half.
Roethlisberger finished 39-of-60 passing for 452 yards and three touchdowns. All three of his scoring passes came during the second quarter as the Steelers worked their way back into the game.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said the offense struggled early because of mistakes that limited their play-calling options.
“We were behind the chains,” Tomlin said. “We were getting penalties. We got a block in the back, we got a holding. When that puts you at first-and-20 or second-and-20, that’s what the early portions of the game were about for us offensively.”
Tomlin said he didn’t believe the bruised right elbow that limited Roethlisberger in practice this week played any role in the game.
“Not to my knowledge, no,” Tomlin said. “I didn’t think he had any physical limits.”
With that score tied at the half, Mahomes, who turns 23 on Monday, stepped up to lead his team at halftime, Reid said.
“He’s all in,” Reid said. “I mean, he came in at halftime and it was very positive. He was leading that charge and talk. He’s not shy when he’s around the guys at all.”
Mahomes said he treated the second half as it the game started all over again.
“You get one half to go out there, leave it all on the line, and I feel like on both sides of the ball people stepped up, made plays, dug deep,” Mahomes said. “It was a hot game, a lot of plays out there, and guys were out there making plays.”
Tight end Travis Kelce led the Chiefs with seven catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. He said the Chiefs already have confidence in Mahomes as their leader just three games into his NFL starting career.
“Without a doubt,” Kelce said. “I see Pat doing this all season long. He’s got the confidence, and as long as we give him time and get open as wideouts, tight ends, and running backs, he’s going to get the best of everyone.”
The Chiefs head back to Kansas City to prepare for next Sunday’s home opener against the San Francisco 49ers. Defensive end Chris Jones said it feels good going home with back-to-back road win under their belt.
“We know the fans are going to be excited,” Jones said. ““Coming off of 2-0 on the road, so it’s very huge for us to continue to pound the ball on the ground and continue to score points, and then continue to make fronts on defense.”
