The burden on Patrick Mahomes grows even larger as the Chiefs’ lose to the Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Patrick Mahomes walked off the podium inside Lambeau Field with his head bowed. Mahomes didn’t say much on the short walk from the interview room to the visitors locker room, the quiet place where the Kansas City Chiefs gathered their belongings Sunday night after a disappointing 27-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers in which the NFL’s best quarterback couldn’t rally his teammates to an expected comeback victory.

Sitting in front of his locker, Mahomes was surrounded by teammates who attempted to express their frustration without conceding that their goals — in postseason — were severely damaged.

“They executed better than us,” tight end Travis Kelce said. “We’ve just got to keep rallying together and just fighting and growing together.”

Mahomes did his best to keep the Chiefs’ season in perspective.

“Obviously, we’re not where we want to be at,” he said, “but I feel like we’re close.”

On the field Sunday night, in cold, windy conditions, the Chiefs needed Mahomes, the league’s reigning MVP, to be more than just heroic. They needed him to be flawless.

Mahomes felt it, too.

The experience was not what Mahomes anticipated or visualized when he expressed his eagerness to play at Lambeau Field — one of the league’s most historic venues — for the first time in his career. Even at age 28, Mahomes has accomplished plenty in his seven years with the Chiefs — two MVP awards, two Super Bowl rings and a host of impressive statistical records. Mahomes knew a victory over the Packers would’ve put the Chiefs (8-4) back atop the AFC standings.

But the Packers (6-6) seized an early 14-3 lead. Mahomes’ left tackle, Donovan Smith, had to be taken out of the game because of a stinger in his shoulder. The Chiefs defense — the team’s best unit — had to play the fourth quarter without two dependable contributors. Linebacker Drue Tranquill sustained a concussion on the game’s opening drive when he was struck in the head by the right knee of Packers running back AJ Dillon. Tranquill was starting in place of linebacker Nick Bolton, who has missed the past five games with a wrist injury. Safety Bryan Cook suffered a significant left ankle injury, which resulted in him leaving the stadium on crutches. And Packers quarterback Jordan Love excelled against the Chiefs’ blitzes, the opposite of what happened in his first NFL start at Arrowhead Stadium in 2021.

“It’s my job,” Mahomes acknowledged of his responsibility, despite Sunday’s less-than-ideal circumstances. “If the defense gives me an opportunity to win the game, I have to go down there and win it with my teammates. Obviously, I haven’t done that enough this season. I’ve got to try to get better because I’m sure we’ll have more opportunities as this season goes on.”

The scenario for Mahomes this time: Lead a game-winning touchdown drive with the Chiefs trailing by five points with just six minutes left.

For the third time in a prime-time game this season, the Chiefs offense stalled in the most pivotal moments. Mahomes connected on just five of his 15 attempts in the fourth quarter. Once again, Mahomes and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling failed to complete a deep pass in the fourth quarter that would’ve put the Chiefs in scoring range. On the next play, a third-down snap, Mahomes watched his intended target, receiver Richie James, fall down while running his route in the middle of the field.

On the next possession, Mahomes made a pre-snap check, asking receiver Skyy Moore to run a different route. Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon noticed Mahomes’ signal, which would force him to throw a perfect pass. Mahomes’ pass, though, wasn’t perfect. But Mahomes wasn’t helped by Moore, a second-year player who slowed down on his wheel route near the sideline, giving Nixon a clear path to intercept the ball.

After the game, Mahomes, as he’s done all season, chose to be diplomatic, placing the blame for the game’s lone turnover on himself.

“You can’t make that mistake,” he said. “(Nixon) went over the top. I probably should’ve tried to back-shoulder Skyy. That’s a mistake on my part that you can’t make in that situation.”

The inconsistency of the Chiefs’ receivers continues to be a glaring issue, one that is most apparent in close games. But an argument can be made that coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy didn’t support Mahomes well enough, either. Kelce, the Chiefs’ best pass catcher, wasn’t targeted by Mahomes in the fourth quarter.

“There’s a couple of them I wish I would’ve (given) him a chance,” Mahomes said. “I went to other spots and didn’t hit the guys on the throws I did try to make. When you get to those big moments, you want to give your best guys chances to make plays.”

Mahomes finished with 210 passing yards, 26 rushing yards, one touchdown and one interception. Even the game’s penultimate play — when Valdes-Scantling appeared to be interfered with on a deep pass but a penalty wasn’t called — Mahomes shared that he felt he should’ve thrown the ball better, placing the ball farther to the left and away from the defender, rookie cornerback Carrington Valentine.

“The guy was probably a little bit early, but at the end of the game (the officials) are letting guys play,” Mahomes said. “I’d rather you let the guys play and let the guys win it on the field. It’s a hard job, man. When we’re in that situation, I can’t be wanting a flag. I have to try to go out there and win the game myself and with the rest of my teammates.

“I’ve got to make the throw. If I make the throw, then I wouldn’t be wanting a flag.”

After the play, Valdes-Scantling pleaded to the officials for a pass-interference penalty, one that would’ve given the Chiefs the ball near the Packers’ 5-yard line.

“I couldn’t see anything because I was on the ground,” Valdes-Scantling said. “The (official) didn’t even look at me. Obviously, he didn’t want to talk to me.”

With five games left in the regular season, the Chiefs are fourth in the AFC standings, an unusual place for the team in early December since Mahomes has been their quarterback.

“We haven’t dealt with a ton of losing here,” Mahomes said. “But everything is out in front of you. We can still win a division, but it’s going to take us getting better and better each week.