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Auggie

(31,850 posts)
Mon Feb 5, 2024, 08:20 AM Feb 2024

How do you beat Mahomes? "Mess him up just enough."

It's actually the way to attack any superstar quarterback -- constantly change front personnel and coverages and make alignments tough to predict. Here's how Lou Anarumo, Cincinnati's defensive coordinator, did it in the 2021 AFC Championship Game that the Bengals won.

After Mahomes went 18-for-21 in the first half, throwing for 220 yards and three touchdowns, Anarumo went to a single-high safety alignment — putting the other safety into the middle of the field to disrupt intermediate routes — and frequently dropped eight defenders into coverage.

Mahomes became increasingly confused: In the second half and overtime he was 8-for-18 for 55 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, including the one that set up the Bengals’ winning field goal.

It was Mahomes’ third consecutive defeat against Anarumo’s defense, though he has since run his career record against the coordinator to 2-3.

Recalled Anarumo: "We certainly didn’t mess him up the whole game. We just did enough. And then when the opportunities presented themselves we were able to take advantage."

LINK (paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/michaelsilver/article/49ers-contain-chiefs-qb-patrick-mahomes-sb-lviii-18647649.php


One thing I see Kansas City do so well time after time is to have receivers drift back towards the line of scrimmage after completing their routes. Coverage is playing several yards behind them, trying to contain. Mahomes, usually well out of the pocket by then, and scrambling to avoid the pass rush, simply flips them the ball for an easy gain and/or first down.

Maybe the way to attack Mahomes is the way they went after Philly's Jalen Hurts earlier this year: don't try to sack him, just keep him contained in the pocket. Mix up the coverage and keep him guessing. A ball control offense and lots of points from the 49er offense would help too.
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hlthe2b

(106,574 posts)
1. I know it is a euphemism, but I hate seeing comments like "mess him up" which sounds like intentional
Mon Feb 5, 2024, 08:25 AM
Feb 2024

intent to harm. The occasional "sack" is one thing. Trying to seriously harm a quarterback is quite another. Just saying...

We just seem to be accepting more and more violence--in politics, in person-to-person disagreements, in an already violent sport, football, and I, for one would like it to be toned down--at least in language.

Ferrets are Cool

(21,962 posts)
9. You are correct, and there are those who subscribe to the "mess him up" in a physical way agenda.
Mon Feb 5, 2024, 09:01 AM
Feb 2024

Some ex-player even went as far as to say that the opposing team should send in a scrub just to mess his legs up with a dirty play. That it would only cost them 15 yards and "possibly" losing that unneeded player for the game. It was absolutely disgusting, but there are those who want to win at ANY cost.

Beachnutt

(8,148 posts)
2. Patricks brother is coming to the nfl
Mon Feb 5, 2024, 08:30 AM
Feb 2024

Graham Mahomes playing wide reciever for Brown University currently.
Just a little info.

sop

(11,408 posts)
3. Speaking of family, his father was just arrested for DUI, for a third time, could be facing jail sentence.
Mon Feb 5, 2024, 08:38 AM
Feb 2024

Sports media will be all over the "distraction" narrative. Maybe it will affect him.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/patrick-mahomes-dad-arrested-dui-201237110.html

jimfields33

(19,219 posts)
6. Third time is completely unacceptable
Mon Feb 5, 2024, 08:53 AM
Feb 2024

If it’s a distraction, it’s on the father not the media reporting it.

Beachnutt

(8,148 posts)
7. Patrick is to focused
Mon Feb 5, 2024, 08:56 AM
Feb 2024

his dad will go to rehab or whatever the court instructs him to do and it'll go away.
Tyler Tx is where he was arrested and is Mahomes hometown.
It is also the hometown of Louie Gohmert and is maga infested.
Never underestimate a focused championship quarterback and never underestimate the low levels maga will stoop to in a quest to derail an election.

Response to Beachnutt (Reply #2)

Response to Beachnutt (Reply #2)

Ferrets are Cool

(21,962 posts)
8. If it was that easy, Patrick wouldn't be in the SB all the time.
Mon Feb 5, 2024, 08:57 AM
Feb 2024

Personally, I hope it's a 34-10 blowout, with KC hoisting the trophy again.

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