A superstar quarterback goes down for the year seemingly every week. This time it was Justin Herbert, and his replacement was promptly shut out 42-0 in the first half last night. We’ll get to the QB carousel, but first my 10 QB observations start with the WR issues plaguing Patrick Mahomes:
1. Kansas City wideouts causing mischief for Mahomes
It’s no secret the Chiefs WR room has been costing Kansas City this year. It might be worse than you thought, though. Here’s seven stats to prove it.
1) Patrick Mahomes has the worst WR drop rate (9.1%) by any QB in eight years (Derek Carr in 2015).
2) Mahomes has had an NFL-high 22 passes dropped by WRs this year, already a career high.
3) Chiefs WRs may have cost Kansas City three wins, which could cost the Chiefs homefield and who knows what else.
- Kadarius Toney drop resulted in a pick-six in a one-point loss vs. Detroit
- Marques Valdez-Scantling dropped potential game-winning TD vs. Eagles
- Toney offside penalty negated potential game-winning TD vs. Bills
4) Mahomes is averaging 4.2 yards per attempt targeting WRs in the second half of losses this season. That’s the lowest rate among 238 qualified QB seasons since he entered the league in 2017.
5) Mahomes has the same number of passing touchdowns targeting WRs 10+ yards downfield as Keenan Allen this year (one). Mahomes has one touchdown pass and six interceptions on those throws.
6) Mahomes ranks 21st in yards per attempt targeting wide receivers this season (career-low 7.36). He’s averaging more targeting running backs and tight ends (7.44).
7) Mahomes has the same number of touchdowns to Toney as he does the other team when targeting Toney this year (one of each thanks to his Week 1 pick-six on Toney’s drop).
Perhaps the Chiefs’ WR struggles after Tyreek Hill left are just showing up one year late. The good news is, if Kansas City can eliminate some miscues they could have an opening in the AFC given how good its defense is and all the injuries to the top contenders in the conference. Question is, how costly will it be if Mahomes has to go on the road in the playoffs rather than have a sixth straight AFC title game at Arrowhead?
2. Tua enters tough stretch without 4 of 5 starters on O-line
The Dolphins are currently without four of their five starting offensive lineman after center Connor Williams tore his ACL in Week 14. It comes at a tough time for Miami after…
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