Patrick Mahomes delivers high praise to Justin Herbert
Patrick Mahomes is known for doing things no one else can do with a football, but even he admits there are some throws Justin Herbert makes that can't be replicated.
The two quarterbacks face off for the second time this season on Sunday. They met previously in Week 2, a Chiefs 27-24 win. Mahomes had some strong praise for his division rival ahead of the upcoming matchup.
"He throws some passes that I don't think anyone can throw in this league and that includes myself," Mahomes said.
There's little doubt Herbert is a special talent but to hear a division rival so effusive with his praise is a bit of a surprise.
One throw in particular on Sunday demonstrated Herbert's uncanny abilities.
On a 2nd-and-10 from the 49ers' 35-yard line in the second quarter, Herbert slid to the left in the pocket and then delivered a side-armed pass towards the right side of the field. The pass landed in the perfect spot for receiver Deandre Carter to make the catch.
As great as Herbert is, he is unfairly perceived as being turnover-prone despite only five quarterbacks having a smaller interception rate than his (1.6 percent).
Part of the perception was formed the last time the teams met. The Chiefs took the lead on a 99-yard interception return by Jaylen Watson.
Per Stathead, that interception was historic. It was the longest go-ahead score off an interception in the fourth quarter or overtime in NFL history.
Lawrence Taylor had a 97-yard go-ahead touchdown off an interception on Thanksgiving in 1982 in a 13-6 win over the Detroit Lions. The quarterback for Detroit that day was current CBS college football color commentator Gary Danielson.
Despite the historic nature of that throw, it likely wasn't what Mahomes meant when he praised Herbert for making throws no one else can make.
In five career starts against the Chiefs, Herbert is 2-3. Herbert is 125-of-188 (66.5 percent) for 1,464 yards and 13 touchdowns with three interceptions in those starts.
The adoration Herbert receives is justified. With a win Sunday against the Chiefs, football fans will understand what Mahomes has known all along.
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