'I'm just not making the throws': Why QB Patrick Mahomes is accepting blame for some of Chiefs' struggles  

Let's not discount anything Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has accomplished in his NFL career thus far. 

At 30, the three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time league MVP already has a Hall of Fame-worthy résumé. But the superstar hasn't been as dominant this season, which is a key reason the 5-5 Chiefs are at risk of missing the playoffs. Even he's willing to admit that. 

Patrick Mahomes discusses his struggles amid Chiefs' slide

"Yeah, I'm just not making the throws, that's the biggest thing," Mahomes told the media Wednesday. "Guys are getting open and giving me chances to make plays down the field, and I just gotta give them chances to make plays."

Mahomes has been missing open targets more often than in previous seasons. According to Pro Football Reference, only 74.7 percent of his throws have been on target this season, which is his lowest mark since they started tracking this stat in 2019. He ranks 22nd out of 35 eligible passers in this advanced stat. (On-target throws are defined as those that are thrown accurately to the intended pass-catcher, regardless of whether he catches it or not.) 

Mahomes' accuracy issues were evident on deep passes in a 22-19 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 11. On the game's opening drive, he missed a deep throw to wide receiver Xavier Worthy on a would-be touchdown. He subsequently missed deep passes to tight end Noah Gray and wideout Tyquan Thornton, which forced the Chiefs to punt.