The Kansas City Chiefs go through tough and exhausting training camp drills, where everyone has to push through long drives that can take 18 plays or more, with no substitutions. It’s challenging for everyone except Patrick Mahomes, who mostly stays in the pocket to throw the ball.
For the rest of the team, it’s a tough grind. Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman didn’t hold back, calling it “terrible.”
But these grueling drills have a purpose, according to Chiefs coach Andy Reid. The long-drive practices are meant to help the team prepare for crucial moments in the fourth quarter of games, and, in the bigger picture, to build the endurance needed to win championships in the final stretch of the season.
And so far, it seems to be working. The Chiefs are undefeated heading into their game on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, with an 8-0 record.
“Coach Reid prepares us for those moments. He prepares us to be in those long drives,” said Mahomes, who practiced without issue after dealing with an ankle tweak in the Chiefs’ comeback overtime win against Tampa Bay.
“We do those long-drive drills every day. It sucks. There’s no other way to say it. But it prepares you to be in those moments,” Mahomes added. “We play our best football in the fourth quarter because we prepare to be playing our best at the end.”
The Chiefs have won an NFL-record eight straight games where they were trailing at some point in the second half.
“It’s hard for a lot of the guys. It’s hard for the receivers, the D-line, the tight ends. I’m the motivator trying to push them to the finish line,” Mahomes said. “It’s for moments like last game, and it’s proven. We have been able to play great football in the fourth quarter and end of seasons, and I believe that’s a big reason why.”
The Chiefs have managed to stay unbeaten despite having the fifth-best scoring margin in the league, just ahead of the Broncos, who are in sixth place. Denver is 5-4, even though they suffered a heavy 41-10 loss to the Ravens last week.
“Well, it’s the heart of a champion,” said Denver coach Sean Payton. “They’ve been in a lot of close games this year.”
The Broncos, like the Chiefs, have had their fair share of close games, though the results have been mixed. Before the loss to Baltimore, the Broncos’ three defeats came by one touchdown or less — to Seattle, Pittsburgh, and the Chargers.
“You have to take the good things you did at Baltimore, take the things you can learn from, and go into this game and not make the same mistakes over and over, and continue to do the good things that you did well,” said Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. “You can’t dwell on the past or worry about what has been. You have to move forward to what is going to be.”
