“Don’t Let Him Escape Laterally”: Kansas City Chiefs Counters Raiders Gameplan to Keep Patrick Mahomes in the Pocket

The Kansas City Chiefs recently faced a stern test against their long-standing rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite an unexpectedly sluggish start, the Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, demonstrated resilience and tactical acumen. Mahomes’ impressive stats of 27 completions from 34 attempts for 298 yards, coupled with two touchdowns, were instrumental in overturning the game’s momentum.

Kansas City’s defense also played a crucial role, restricting the Raiders to merely three points in the second half. This victory not only improved the Chiefs’ record to 8-3 but also kept their hopes alive for securing the AFC’s top playoff position. Even though the Raiders lost the game, they definitely had a strategy to give their best. As we dissect the game, a key question looms: How did the Raiders strategize in this high-stakes battle?

Countering defensive strategies against Mahomes

The Chiefs encountered a defensive strategy increasingly adopted by their rivals in their recent encounter with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders adopted the pattern of confining Patrick Mahomes to a certain limit. This approach was analyzed by Matt Derick in conversation with Ryan Tracy on Locked on Chiefs. He said, “If you keep Patrick Mahomes in the pocket and don’t let him escape laterally and get him outside where can make some plays you force him to stay in the pocket.”

Derrick analyzed that restricting Mahomes’ lateral movement and ability to extend plays outside the pocket increases the likelihood of errors. The Chiefs, recognizing this tactic, pivoted to a fundamental, quick-release offensive strategy. This adjustment aimed to minimize the sacks, reduce physical hits on Mahomes, and lessen the risk of turnovers.

Contrary to the popular belief that extending play duration would allow receivers more time to get open, the Chiefs acknowledged the current defensive trends. They chose to instead prioritize rapid ball release. This strategic shift reflects an evolution in the Chiefs’ offensive playbook. Despite a sloppy start, they did win in a dominant manner and the HC of the team managed to set a benchmark!

Andy Reid setting new benchmarks in NFL coaching

Andy Reid’s illustrious coaching career reached another milestone with the Chiefs’ emphatic win over the Raiders. This victory marked Reid’s 125th regular season win with the Chiefs, surpassing Hank Stram’s record. Not only that, but this also established him as the franchise’s most successful coach in regular season games.

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Achieving this feat in only 11 seasons highlights his exceptional leadership and strategy. Remarkably, Reid also holds a similar record with the Philadelphia Eagles, making him the first NFL coach to lead two different teams in regular season victories. His career, inclusive of postseason games, positions him as the fourth most successful coach in NFL history.

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