Analyzing Patrick Mahomes against Cincinnati Bengals

Analyzing Patrick Mahomes’ second preseason performance, this one against the Cincinnati Bengals. He looked every bit the part of a franchise QB…

The Kansas City Chiefs made one of the boldest moves in the 2017 NFL Draft when they traded their 2018 first round pick to move up and get Patrick Mahomes, the gunslinger out of Texas Tech.

It’s only the preseason and Mahomes isn’t playing against starters, but we only have one way to evaluate him, and it’s with the snaps he’s given.

Mahomes was impressive in his debut with the Chiefs this preseason, and he’s also been making a ton of ‘wow’ plays at Chiefs training camp.

He took the field against the Cincinnati Bengals with some high expectations after his strong start, and we’re going to take a look at every play from the follow-up performance.

Every @PatrickMahomes5 play from #KCvsCIN! https://t.co/ZrkLnnyibF
— NFL (@NFL) August 20, 2017

Play 1: Shotgun formation. Mahomes gives the play-action fake, and has all day to throw. After surveying the field, he fires to the short left side of the field and nearly throws an interception, but the ball falls safely incomplete.

Play 2: Shotgun formation. Mahomes uses some pretty loose footwork on his drop, and winds up not liking anything he sees with the coverage downfield. He takes off and slides without taking a hit.

Play 3: Shotgun formation. Mahomes gets rid of the ball quick on a very well-executed screen play that goes for a first down.

Play 4: Shotgun formation. Mahomes gets the ball out quick on a wide receiver screen, basically an extension of the running game out wide. Well-executed for a solid gain.

Play 5: Shotgun formation. The Bengals bring an extra rusher on the blitz, and it’s not properly picked up by Kansas City. Mahomes has to fire quickly and delivers a strike to Tyreek Hill for a solid gain.

Play 6: Shotgun formation. Mahomes is pressured from his blind side but does a good job of keeping the ball close to his body, avoiding the pressure, and scrambling for a big gain. Here he shows part of what made him so special as a prospect, turning on the jets and nearly scoring a touchdown with his speed as a runner.

Play 7: Under center. It’s a play-action fake from Mahomes who rolls to his right, and makes a very nice throw to the back of the end zone for a touchdown. This is a well-executed play and a throw that is tougher than it looks.

Play 8: Under center. Another play-action fake here from Mahomes who has all kinds of time to throw. He takes his check-down wisely here, as nothing was developing deep down the field.

Play 9: Shotgun formation. Mahomes again has all day to throw, and this time he tries to use his arm strength to force the ball into a very tight window down the sideline. He’s unable to fit the ball in, and the Cincinnati defensive back makes a nice play on the ball.

Play 10: Shotgun formation. Mahomes again has a great pocket to work with, and he starts to move like he’s going to run to his right, and makes a really nice throw over the middle of the field for a first down.

Play 11: Shotgun formation. Mahomes is pressured from his blind side, but steps up to avoid it with perfect timing. He takes off and runs to his left, and is driven out of bounds on a dangerous tackle that probably had the coaching staff holding their breath. He picked up the first down, however.

Play 12: Shotgun formation. Mahomes is pressured and retreats backward, way too far for comfort. He ends up finding some clear space to throw the ball away without taking a sack or losing the football.

Play 13: Shotgun formation. Mahomes has really good protection once again, and is able to step into a deep out and connect with his receiver for a first down.

Play 14: Shotgun formation. Mahomes fires a quick pass out to his right for a bubble screen that picks up a decent gain.

Play 15: Shotgun formation. Mahomes immediately takes off to his left like he is running an option pass play, and fires the ball toward the end zone over the heads of his receivers and defensive backs. It appears as though he was just throwing the ball away.

Play 16: Under center. Play-action by Mahomes and this is arguably his best play of the game. He comes out of the play-fake with a defender in his face. He runs away from the defender and makes a tough throw downfield on the run, and delivers it with perfect accuracy for a first down. This is a big league throw from Mahomes, and why the Chiefs traded so much to get him.

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Play 17: Shotgun formation. Quick bubble screen again with great execution by the rest of the offense, and it results in a De’Anthony Thomas touchdown. Mahomes’ second touchdown toss of the game.

Final Stat line: 10-of-14 passing, 88 yards, 2 TD.

Thoughts

Mahomes looks like a starting NFL quarterback, working with some of the Chiefs’ first-team unit here. He is taking the majority of his snaps from the shotgun, which suits his strengths, and is getting the ball out quickly.

He also uses his athleticism to his advantage, getting out and making plays on the run when he needs to or when he’s able, but that’s certainly not his first read.

This looks like a player on a mission to get himself on the field sooner rather than later, and he’s going to make it tough for the Chiefs to give Alex Smith a long leash this season. He may force his way into the lineup.

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