Patrick Mahomes’ Toughest Opponents: A Deeper Look
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is widely considered to be one of the best and most talented players in the NFL. However, even the best quarterbacks have opponents that give them trouble. Mahomes himself has shed some light on who he considers his toughest opponents over the years. At the top of his list are a few star defenders who have had his number in big games. But beyond just individual players, Mahomes has also faced entire defenses and challenging environments that have made things difficult for him and the Chiefs offense. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of Mahomes’ toughest opponents based on what he’s said, as well as factors that contribute to the difficulty of certain matchups.
Top Three Individual Defenders
When asked directly about his toughest opponents, Mahomes pointed to three defenders in particular – Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and Von Miller. All three were teammates on the 2020 Los Angeles Rams team that defeated Mahomes and the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVI. Their performances in that game highlighted why Mahomes considers them so difficult to face.
Aaron Donald (DT, Los Angeles Rams)
Widely regarded as the best defensive player in the NFL, Donald is an absolute force along the interior of the defensive line. At 6’1 and 280 pounds, he plays bigger than his size with incredible strength, quickness, and technique. Donald is nearly impossible for even the best offensive linemen to block one-on-one. He consistently gets pressure up the middle and is a nightmare for quarterbacks trying to step up in the pocket.
In Super Bowl LVI, Donald totaled 1.5 sacks of Mahomes and was disruptive all game long. The Rams defensive front dominated the Chiefs offensive line, and Donald was at the center of that. Mahomes later said facing Donald is like “trying to escape a bear chasing you in the woods.” His combination of power, speed, and effort make him the most problematic interior rusher Mahomes has seen.
Jalen Ramsey (CB, Los Angeles Rams/Jacksonville Jaguars)
While not a pass rusher, Ramsey makes the list due to his ability to completely take away an offense’s top receiving option. He has the size, speed, athleticism, and instincts to mirror any receiver’s moves. Ramsey is also extremely physical at the line of scrimmage. In Super Bowl LVI, he shadowed and shut down Tyreek Hill for most of the game, limiting him to just 13 yards on three catches.
Mahomes said Ramsey is the best man coverage corner he’s faced. Going against him means your top target is essentially removed from the game plan. Even if you look elsewhere, Ramsey is more than capable of baiting quarterbacks into bad throws. His lockdown ability on an island makes any offense think twice about who they target when he’s on the field.
Von Miller (LB, Denver Broncos/Los Angeles Rams/Buffalo Bills)
A perennial Pro Bowler and Super Bowl MVP, Miller is one of the premier pass rushers of his generation. At 6’3 and 250 pounds, he has a unique blend of size, speed, and technique that makes him nearly impossible to block one-on-one. Miller is adept at setting up offensive linemen with his array of pass rush moves before exploding around the edge.
In Super Bowl LVI, Miller recorded two sacks, two tackles for loss, and six quarterback pressures of Mahomes. The Rams were able to consistently get after the quarterback thanks to Miller’s relentless motor off the edge. Mahomes said facing Miller is like “chasing a cheetah” due to his explosive first step and closing speed. His ability to bend the edge and get home disrupt an offense’s rhythm like few others.
While these three stood out for their performances against Mahomes in the Super Bowl, they highlight the type of elite individual talent that gives him fits. Shutdown corners, disruptive interior rushers, and speedy edge rushers all present unique challenges to even the best quarterbacks.
Other Notable Individual Matchups
Beyond the top three, Mahomes has also pointed to other talented defenders who have caused him problems over the years:
– Stephon Gilmore (CB, New England Patriots): A former Defensive Player of the Year, Gilmore has shut down top receivers with his size and physicality. He limited Tyreek Hill in the 2018 AFC Championship Game.
– Joey Bosa (DE, Los Angeles Chargers): A powerful and technically sound pass rusher, Bosa gets under offensive tackles’ pads and turns the corner well. He’s sacked Mahomes multiple times over the years.
– T.J. Watt (LB, Pittsburgh Steelers): An athletic freak at 6’4 and 252 pounds, Watt uses his speed and length to chase down quarterbacks from anywhere on the field.
– Cameron Jordan (DE, New Orleans Saints): At 6’4 and 287 pounds, Jordan wins with power, technique, and high motor. He’s constantly collapsing the pocket against Kansas City.
– Myles Garrett (DE, Cleveland Browns): At 6’4 and 272 pounds, Garrett is an explosive athlete who turns the corner in a flash. His speed off the edge stresses even the best offensive lines.
While these players may not have stood out as much as Donald, Ramsey, and Miller, Mahomes still considers them difficult in their own right due to their unique skillsets. Facing elite individual talents is always a challenge, regardless of position.
Challenging Defensive Schemes and Environments
Beyond just individual opponents, Mahomes has also struggled against certain defensive schemes and hostile road environments over the years:
Baltimore Ravens Defense
Led by coaches John Harbaugh and Don “Wink” Martindale, the Ravens play an aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme designed to confuse opposing quarterbacks. They’ll show one look pre-snap and bring completely different pressures post-snap. Baltimore also has talented playmakers like Marcus Peters, Marlon Humphrey, and Justin Houston.
Playing at M&T Bank Stadium, with one of the loudest crowds in the NFL, makes things even harder. In two career starts there, Mahomes has completed just 59.4% of his passes for 4 TDs and 3 INTs. The Ravens’ scheme and environment clearly give him trouble.
New England Patriots Defense
Under Bill Belichick, the Patriots throw different looks and personnel groupings at offenses each week. They take away strengths and make opponents one-dimensional. In his first two starts at Gillette Stadium, Mahomes completed just 52.5% of passes for 2 TDs and 3 INTs.
The Patriots’ scheme, which changes every week, along with the pressure of a big road game, has given Mahomes problems in the past. Belichick is a master at taking the heart out of opposing offenses.
Los Angeles Chargers Defense
Led by Brandon Staley and players like Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, the Chargers defense is fast, aggressive, and attacks from all angles. They’ll bring corner blitzes, safety pressures, and change looks pre-snap to confuse blocking assignments.
Playing in the tiny, loud confines of SoFi Stadium makes things even harder. Mahomes has averaged just 6.3 yards per attempt in three career starts there, with 4 TDs and 2 INTs. The Chargers’ scheme and home-field advantage clearly give Kansas City issues.
Specific Game Matchups
While certain schemes and venues provide challenges, Mahomes has also struggled in isolated games against top competition:
– 2020 AFC Championship vs. Patriots: Completed just 53.1% for 295 yards in a blowout loss, as New England took away deep shots.
– 2021 Week 4 vs. Eagles: Completed just 48.3% for 270 yards in a blowout loss, as Philadelphia brought heavy pressures.
– 2022 Week 6 vs. Bills: Completed 62.5% but for just 220 yards in a 24-20 loss, as Buffalo’s defense dominated.
Even the best quarterbacks have occasional off days or games where an opponent simply has their number. Specific matchups can pose unique challenges due to injuries, game plans, or just an opponent playing at an elite level.
Conclusion
While Patrick Mahomes is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL, no player is immune to struggles against elite competition. He’s faced many difficult individual matchups against star defenders like Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and Von Miller.
Entire defenses like Baltimore, New England, and Los Angeles have also given him problems through challenging schemes, environments, and specific games. The difficulties Mahomes faces can come down to injuries on his own line, crowd noise on the road, or an opponent simply having the perfect game plan.
But overcoming adversity is what separates the best from the rest. Mahomes’ ability to learn from tough experiences and still lead high-powered offenses shows his tremendous skill and mental fortitude. Even against his toughest opponents, he remains one of the most dynamic players in the league. Moving forward, more challenges will surely come his way, but few expect him not to rise to meet them.
