Patrick Mahomes enjoyed a successful NFL return on Monday. He led the Kansas City Chiefs to a 31-10 win over the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium in his first game back from a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. However, he wasn’t completely satisfied with his performance and blamed himself for the passing game’s missed opportunities.
The three-time Super Bowl champion completed 15-of-27 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns against one interception. He added seven rushing attempts for 23 yards and one score.
In his postgame interview, Mahomes admitted he needs more confidence in his teammates as the season progresses.
“I gotta be better,” Mahomes said. “At the end of the day, I have to be better.
“There were times when those guys were open and I was a little bit quick with my reads and getting the ball out of my hand. I have to have the trust in the offensive line. I have to have the trust in myself that I can stand taking the hits.”
Mahomes acknowledged the Chiefs’ big win. However, he also said he needs more belief in his surgically repaired knee.
“But it’s a good start as far as just being out there and playing,” he continued. “But those guys were getting open and I think y’all see on tape (that) if I just trusted in it and stayed in the pocket and made those throws, I could hit some of those guys.
“I think that would just come with more trust in me and trust in the knee and then trusting the offensive line to make those protections.”
Mahomes suffered the season-ending injury on Dec.14 versus the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs missed the playoffs last season, ending a run of 10 consecutive postseason appearances.
Kansas City will next host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2, giving Mahomes a chance to deliver a stronger outing. A two-game road trip follows against the Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders before the team’s bye week.
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