We are somehow at the point in Patrick Mahomes career were football fans see an 8-3 record as good, not great. Where anything less than 300 yards and 3 touchdowns is considered an “off” game. Where if the team scores less than 30 points, the offense is “broken.” Where everyone is ready to declare the Chiefs no longer the team to beat.
Looking at the big picture, the Chiefs once again sit at first place in their division and are in second in the conference. Clinching the one seed and hosting a 6th straight AFC Championship is still well within reach. However, the national narrative around the team feels less optimistic. They credit the defense but are concerned about the offense. At first glance that may seem fair. However, history tells us the Chiefs are about to takeoff once again.
Perhaps Andy Reid’s greatest strength as a coach is the ability to see the bigger picture. Yes, his play designs are still second to none. But time and time again we see Reid’s teams peak at the right time. Going into the playoffs with momentum is the greatest advantage a team can have; it also doesn’t hurt playing at home. Just ask Mahomes, as he has yet to play a road playoff game.
In this article, I will break down Mahomes’ and Reid’s month by month record together, and why I would once again be optimistic if you’re a Chiefs fan.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (87) – Kirby Lee/ USA TODAY Sports
Mahomes in September
2018=3-0
2019= 4-0
2020= 3-0
2021= 1-2
2022- 2-1
2023- 2-1
Total= 15-4
Historically, the Chiefs come out of the gates strong. Mahomes and Reid are 15-4 in the month of September. Through his first 11 September games, Mahomes was 11-0. However, since that impressive start he has gone 4-4, including going 2-1 this season.
Mahomes in October
2018- 4-1
2019- 1-2
2020- 3-1
2021- 2-2
2022- 3-1
2023- 4-1
Total= 17-8
Opposing fans are never excited to see the Chiefs on their schedule. They know their team will have to play their best to have a chance. However, there is one month where the Chiefs are a little more human. That is the month of October and they’re still very good. Reid and Mahomes are 17-8 in this month.
Chiefs WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (11) – Blair Kerkhoff/ Kansas City Star
October is the one month where the Chiefs give other teams a glimmer of hope. But this is where the brilliance of Mahomes and Reid comes into play. Coming out of September, opposing teams adjust to what the Chiefs are doing well. This slows them down for a couple of games as Mahomes and Reid search for answers. Then, like clockwork, they hit their stride.
Mahomes in November
2018=2-1
2019= 1-1
2020= 4-0
2021= 4-0
2022- 4-0
2023- 2-1
Total= 17-3
Mahomes in December
2017= 1-0
2018=3-2
2019=5-0
2020=4-0
2021=4-0
2022= 3-1
Total= 20-3
As I mentioned at the start of the article, Andy Reid teams hit their stride at the right time. The Chiefs learn their lessons in October and never panic, despite outside noise. In November, the Reid and Mahomes-led Chiefs are 17-3. At one point they had won 14 straight games in November, but recently saw that streak end in their Super Bowl rematch with the Eagles.
In December, Kansas City has also only lost 3 games with Mahomes. They are 20-3 and, just like November, there was a time when they won 14 straight December games. This is significant because December used to be the last month of regular season football. However, since expanding the season to 17 games, teams now have regular season games in January. That hasn’t been a problem for the Chiefs as they are 3-1 in January.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (15) and TE Travis Kelce (87) – Gregory Shamus/ Getty Images
After going through month by month, you see a clear pattern with the Chiefs. They get better as the season goes. The track record is there, and I expect this season to be no different. Even last week it felt like the Chiefs offense was beginning to turn the corner. Andy Reid and Mahomes want to win every time they step on the field. But part of their greatness is knowing how to peak at the right time. They are willing to go through the growing pains early in the season to ensure their playing their best ball at the end of the year.
