Patrick Mahomes’s Rise to Stardom Through His Greatest Games

Since entering the NFL in 2017, Patrick Mahomes has established himself as one of the premier quarterbacks in the league.

While stats and accolades tell part of the story, a deeper look into some of Mahomes’ most memorable games provides valuable context into his development and rise to stardom.

From early flashes of promise to Super Bowl victories, Mahomes’ matches hold a mirror to his career progression.

Let’s take a closer look at how some of his most iconic performances showcase different stages of his journey.

Early Promise and Development

Despite being a starter for only one season in college at Texas Tech, Mahomes possessed the talent and confidence that foreshadowed future success. In his first career start against the Denver Broncos in Week 17 of 2017, he showed early signs of his big-play ability by throwing for 284 yards and a touchdown in a 27-24 loss. While the Chiefs finished with a mediocre 9-7 record that season, Mahomes left fans excited about the future after impressing in limited action.

The 2018 season was Mahomes’ first as the full-time starter, and he hit the ground running from the beginning. In Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers, he threw for 256 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-28 victory. This established the tone for what would become a record-breaking year. His breakout truly began in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers when he tossed 6 touchdowns—tying the franchise single-game record—and 378 yards in a 38-27 win.

Breakout and Dominance

Mahomes entered rare air in October with perhaps the performance that defined his first MVP campaign. On Monday Night Football against the Denver Broncos, he threw for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns while leading the Chiefs back from a 17-point deficit for a 27-23 win. This cemented him as one of the NFL’s most exciting and clutch players. He continued his torrid pace with consecutive 4-touchdown games against the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots, outdueling Tom Brady in a 43-40 shootout.

By season’s end, Mahomes had shattered franchise records and led the league with 50 touchdown passes. He engineered the highest-scoring offense in NFL history at 35.3 points per game. His gaudy stats were a big reason the Chiefs won the AFC West and earned the #1 seed in the playoffs with a 12-4 record. Mahomes was named NFL MVP, becoming the youngest player ever to win the award. He had announced his arrival as the new face of the NFL in just his first full season as a starter.

Super Bowl Runs

In the 2019 postseason, Mahomes showed he could thrive under the brightest lights. After defeating the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots, the Chiefs faced off against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. Down 20-10 in the 4th quarter, Mahomes led three touchdown drives for a stunning 31-20 comeback victory. He finished with 286 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, earning Super Bowl MVP honors at age 24.

The following season, Mahomes continued his January heroics. Against the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Divisional Round, he threw for 325 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 22-17 victory. In the AFC Championship against the Buffalo Bills, he led three scoring drives in the 4th quarter for a 38-24 win and his second straight Super Bowl appearance. While the Chiefs fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV, Mahomes cemented his place among the game’s biggest postseason performers.

Facing Adversity

No quarterback is immune to struggles or setbacks, and Mahomes experienced adversity for the first time in 2020. After dislocating his kneecap in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos, he missed several games. In his return, the Chiefs lost three of their next four games to fall out of playoff position. Mahomes looked rusty, throwing 5 interceptions over that stretch.

The adversity continued into the 2021 season when Kansas City lost three of its first seven games. Mahomes threw 9 interceptions, already surpassing his total from the previous season. Critics questioned if defenses had finally caught up to the high-flying Chiefs offense. But Mahomes responded by leading Kansas City to a season-ending nine-game winning streak and the #2 seed in the AFC playoffs. He proved his ability to adapt and improve even when facing challenges for the first time in his career.

Continued Excellence

In recent years, Mahomes has maintained his standard of elite play while continuing to lead the Chiefs as the unquestioned face of the franchise. This was on full display in 2021 against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football in Week 10. He threw for 406 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 41-14 blowout victory, reminding fans why he is still regarded as the most talented quarterback in the NFL.

This season, Mahomes has kept the Chiefs in contention for a seventh straight AFC West title despite several key injuries. In Week 2 against the Chargers, he threw for 235 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 27-24 comeback win after falling behind 24-14 in the 4th quarter. Just a few weeks later on Sunday Night Football, he diced up the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense for 249 yards and 3 total touchdowns in a 41-31 victory. These types of performances have become routine for Mahomes as he continues cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats.

Conclusion

By analyzing some of Patrick Mahomes’ most iconic games from his five-year NFL career, one can trace his evolution from a promising rookie to league MVP to Super Bowl champion. From early flashes of his prodigious talent to record-setting seasons of dominance to overcoming adversity, Mahomes’ matches serve as a microcosm of his remarkable rise to stardom. At only 27 years old, he is still reaching his prime. But Mahomes has already established himself as the standard at the game’s most important position and one of the faces of the NFL for years to come. His story will continue unfolding through even more playoff runs and iconic performances in the future.