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How has Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes performed in season openers?

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Charles Goldman | Last updated Sep 5, 2024 2:46 PM ET

September has truly been the month of Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes during his time as a starter in the NFL.

Mahomes has six career Week 1 games under his belt since he first became the starting QB in Kansas City back in 2018. His performance during those games underscores just how great he's been throughout his young NFL career.

Mahomes has completed 142 passes on 208 attempts (68.3% completion percentage) for 1,768 yards, 20 touchdowns, one interception, and a near-perfect 125.6 passer rating in Week 1 games. He previously held the record for the most touchdown passes without an interception in Week 1 games in NFL history, until Kadarius Toney forgot that he had hands against the Lions. He's had three or more touchdown passes in five of the six Week 1 games that he’s played in.

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One area where Mahomes has been most consistent is his ability to avoid pressure. He has been sacked just four times during season openers. He's never been sacked more than two times in a single season opener. In three of his six season openers, Mahomes escaped without being sacked once.

Moving the chains also never seems to be an issue for Mahomes when it comes to Week 1 games. He has picked up 88 first downs as a passer in season openers along with a handful of first downs picked up with his legs. He's managed over 20 carries for 91 yards and a rushing touchdown in season openers, which isn't a bad complementary rusher.

The most important numbers from Mahomes and his team during Week 1 come in the win column. Before the 2023 NFL season, the Chiefs had never lost a Week 1 game with Mahomes as the starting QB. The one-point loss to the Detroit Lions gave Mahomes his lone blemish, a 5-1 record, but that game should carry an asterisk, Travis Kelce was hurt 24 hours before kickoff, Chris Jones sat out the game amidst a contract holdout, and Kadarius Toney gave away a touchdown to the opponents.

Kansas City won't make excuses, they needed to play better to beat the Lions last year. That loss likely weighs heavily ahead of Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season against the Baltimore Ravens.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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