PATRICK MAHOMES is part of a 0-2 team for the first time in eight seasons as an NFL starting quarterback.
The three-time Super Bowl winner isn’t overly concerned about the slow start as he leads the Kansas City Chiefs to face the also-winless New York Giants on Sunday night at East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Kansas City has started a season with consecutive losses for the first time since 2014, when Mahomes was a freshman quarterback at Texas Tech.
“Definitely new territory as far as being 0-2, but knowing that we got the guys for it,” Mahomes said Wednesday on his 30th birthday. “We have the mindset of going out there and being even better.
“In my eyes, it’s… an opportunity to prove who we are as the Kansas City Chiefs. Coming back from 0-2 and trying to build up to win a big football game on ‘Sunday Night Football,’ and try to get our season going in the right direction from there.”
An 0-3 start hasn’t proven to be a good path to the postseason.
The 2018 Houston Texans are the lone team this century to lose their first three games and rebound to make the playoffs.
Giants coach Brian Daboll doesn’t feel as if the Chiefs look like a winless squad.
The Chiefs’ two losses have come against two unbeaten teams. Kansas City lost 27-21 to the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil on Sept. 5, then fell 20-17 to visiting Philadelphia last Sunday in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl, also won by the Eagles.
New York dropped to 0-2 despite an entertaining effort as it fell 40-37 in overtime to the Dallas Cowboys last week.
Russell Wilson passed for 450 yards, three touchdowns and one interception one week after being criticized for a poor debut with the club in a 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders. The Giants were on the road in both contests.
“I’m excited about our football tThe Giants are tied for 27th in scoring defense (30.5 points per game) and are dead last in total defense (455.0 yards per game).
New York standout left tackle Andrew Thomas could make his season debut after being listed as questionable. Thomas underwent foot surgery 11 months ago. He was a limited practice performer all three days this week and says he will be a game-time decision on Sunday.
Giants linebacker Darius Muasau (concussion, eye) did not practice this week and has been ruled out for Sunday. Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf) and defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches (foot) are listed as doubtful, while linebacker Chauncey Golston (ankle) and receiver Gunner Olszewski (back) are listed as questionable. — Reuters
