Mahomes has 11 picks, but Denver still expects him to make “uncanny” throws
In the 2019 and ’20 seasons, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw 11 interceptions in 1,072 pass attempts.
Entering Sunday night’s game against the Broncos, Mahomes has 11 interceptions (tied for fourth-most in the NFL) in 449 pass attempts this season. Mahomes, whose 25 touchdown passes are tied for third in the league, has at least one interception in eight games.
“He owns everything; that’s how he’s wired,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “However, there are a lot of things that go into it.”
As Broncos coach Vic Fangio likes to say, each interception has its own “story.”
Takeaways from analyzing Mahomes’ interceptions:
1. Mahomes is booked with the fault seven times. He threw interceptions while falling to the turf (at Baltimore), throwing behind receiver Marcus Kemp (who deflected it against the Los Angeles Chargers), overthrowing tight end Travis Kelce (Chargers), throwing it up for grabs while draped by two defenders (at Washington), throwing into traffic (at Tennessee), a jump pass into a maze of players (vs. the New York Giants) and behind Kelce (vs. Dallas).
2. Receiver Tyreek Hill was at fault for two interceptions, passes that went through his hands against Buffalo (returned for a touchdown) and at Washington.
3. Two interceptions were a result of protection breakdowns — Mahomes threw as he was hit at Philadelphia and it appeared a failed cut-block/missed block led to an interception against Buffalo.
4. Only one interception came against a blitz — a five-man pressures by Washington.
“There’s some where I’m pressing the issue a little bit more (and) some are just bad luck,” Mahomes told the Kansas City media on Wednesday. “I’ll try to do whatever I can to try to limit those as
much as possible because we know turnovers are such a big deal in this league.”
Said Broncos safety Justin Simmons: “There are a handful of turnovers where it is plays we’ve seen them normally make — the uncanny throws and ability to extend (plays). That’s not going to stop (Mahomes) from making those types of throws.”
Bolles returns. Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles was activated off the Covid-19/reserve list and participated in his first practice since spraining his ankle in the Week 8 win over Washington. He was preparing to return to play against the Chargers in Week 12 when he tested positive on Nov. 21. Bolles was listed as a limited participant Thursday, likely because the Broncos eased him back in after a long layoff.
Calvin Anderson, who started three games for Bolles, was placed on injured reserve (knee) and will miss a minimum of three games.
The biggest injury concern is running back Melvin Gordon, who missed a second consecutive practice Thursday (hip/shoulder).
Fangio said Gordon is “probably 50-50” to play at Kansas City. If he is inactive, rookie Javonte Williams would start and Mike Boone (no carries and one catch in seven snaps this year) would be the No. 2 tailback.
Cornerback Nate Hairston (hip) was added to the injury report and did not practice.
Returning after sitting out Wednesday were defensive end Shelby Harris (ankle, his first practice since being injured Nov. 25), cornerback Ronald Darby (illness), left guard Dalton Risner (back) and tight end Eric Saubert (ankle). They were all limited along with right guard Quinn Meinerz (knee), right tackle Bobby Massie (ankle) and receiver Tyrie Cleveland (hamstring).
Upgraded from limited to full Wednesday were inside linebacker Baron Browning (back), outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (ankle) and safety Kareem Jackson (neck).
Saluting assistants. Twenty-two Broncos players on defense have started at least one game this year and 26 have played at least 49 snaps. But they are ninth in fewest yards (330.8) and third in fewest points (17.6) allowed.
Defensive coordinator Ed Donatell saluted the team’s position coaches for their work, including Reggie Herring (linebackers), John Pagano (outside linebackers), Christian Parker (defensive backs) and Chris Beake (defensive pass game specialist who works with the nickel backs).
“We’ve had a lot of change in our whole defense so it’s really been a week-to-week thing of bringing guys up to speed,” Donatell said. “It points to our assistant coaches.”