Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Pat won’t look back with anger
PATRICK MAHOMES is using the bitter memory of falling at the final hurdle last term to make his Super Bowl dream come true.
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback came within inches of the big game a year ago, only to see Patriots’ Tom Brady snatch it away in a dramatic overtime win in the AFC Championship Game.
And the 24-year-old from Texas is itching to lead his team to the season finale in Miami on February 2.
As he prepared for tonight’s home game at Arrowhead Stadium (Sky Sports Action, 8.05pm), Mahomes revealed how upset he felt after that game. He said: “It kind of went away and then you watch the Super Bowl last year and you think, ‘Man, I wish we were in that game’.
“But after that, I just went right back to working out, getting my body in the best shape possible and trying to prepare for moments like we will be in this weekend.”
And the third-year pro knows that attitude will be the key to winning tonight, and next week, during the win-or-go-home playoffs.
He added: “You have to make sure as a team you’re on top of it all game long.
“It’s going to be a 60-minute fight or even longer, whatever it takes.
“You have to make sure that you come in with that mentality that you’re going to play your best football.”
Later tonight, Green Bay host Seattle (Sky Sports Action, 11.40pm) with the club asking hundreds of fans to help clear the field and stands of snow, and temperatures expected to dip to -10C during the game.