Patrick Mahomes Puts NFL on Notice as Chiefs QB Reveals Travis Kelce & DeAndre Hopkins’ Hidden Trait

The Chiefs are on the roar with a 7-0 start to the season. That’s two-time defending champs for you! And the players? Well, they are proving this phrase week in and week out: When the game’s on the line; we are in our prime! Patrick Mahomes has further warned the NFL of his two weapons—Travis Kelce and (the newbie) DeAndre Hopkins—revealing their secret traits. Uh-Oh!

As if the perfect start wasn’t warning enough, Mahomes spelled out the impact of combining Trav and a talent like Hopkins: “Whenever you got two guys like DeAndre and Trav working in that medium-type range of the football field, it opens up the deeper throws.”

It didn’t take long for Andy Reid to throw D-Hop into the mix. I mean, just a week after signing, the 32-year-old WR suited up red and gold to complete his debut in the 27-20 win over the Raiders. Cherry on the cake? Mahomes targeted D-Hop three times, with Hopkins snagging two catches for 29 yards. Sure, the numbers aren’t jaw-dropping. But Pat was pumped with what he saw, calling it “a great start.”

And if the caller under center is happy, you know it’s a smooth run. Then there’s Travis Kelce. But this season, the Chiefsdom has been unsure. They have been left clueless as to which Kelce they’re getting. Thankfully, against the Raiders, it was the classy one.

We saw him haul in 10 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown (first of the season). By far, this was his biggest game yet this season. Mahomes didn’t hesitate to praise him: “Even the touchdown to Trav (5-yarder pass) I threw. If you look back on his side, he’s open too for a touchdown there.” Kelce’s on-and-off show has him pacing for 92 catches, 813 yards, and two TDs, but can he keep that momentum rolling?

At least, Pat would want him to if they are to get a dub against the Bucs. Another battle he’d like to win would be against his counterpart, Baker Mayfield.

Patrick Mahomes versus Baker Mayfield, the battle of in-form QBs

“In critical games like this … you go back to the trying-to-end-every-drive-in-a-kick type mentality,” Baker Mayfield said. And you know he’s coming into this week 9 showdown with Patrick Mahomes, ready to put that into practice.

Two QBs, both hot off mixed starts, facing off under the big lights—this could get interesting. Mahomes has his usual swagger. But it hasn’t been a cakewalk this season. And Mayfield? He’s proving he’s got the chops to go head-to-head with one of the NFL’s elite. (Let’s call Pat the GOAT, shall we?)

The Chiefs with Mahomes at the helm are rolling in with a defense ranked top-5 in total and scoring stats. So, KC’s game plan here? Probably to keep it simple—Pat doesn’t need to go for the highlight reel when he’s got the defense holding down the fort. Still, those interceptions are stacking up, and Mahomes would love to keep them in check.

Now, let’s talk stats. The Chiefs’ #15 has thrown for 1,651 passing yards but is walking a fine line with 8 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. As far as the Bucs’ #6 is concerned, he is showing some better numbers with 2,189 yards, 9 TDs, and 7 interceptions. The Chiefs look like they have the upper hand, but both QBs are on notice.

But the Bucs have the pressure of keeping it above .500. Another loss, their record goes to 4-5 and boom, the morale goes. Not a good look, especially with the 49ers looming next week. As for the Chiefs, they can keep doing what they have been doing and that should do it. So for Patrick Mahomes and Co., it’s all about not trying anything extra.

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