How has Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes performed in season openers during the course of his NFL career?
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has been nearly perfect in season openers, with one blemish during his career.
Editor’s note: This article was initially published in September 2023 and has since been updated.
September has truly been the month of Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes during his time as a starter in the NFL, and he’ll get a chance to add to it in São Paulo, Brazil, on Friday.
Mahomes has seven 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 highlights just how great he has been throughout his decorated NFL career.
Mahomes has completed 162 passes on 234 attempts (69.3% completion percentage) for 2,059 yards, 21 touchdowns, two interceptions, and a near-perfect 122.8 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’s lackluster performance against the Detroit Lions in 2023. He has had three or more touchdown passes in five of the seven Week 1 games he has played in, but the past two seasons haven’t been quite as fruitful as in years past. Will 2025 be an opportunity to return to form for Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense?
One area where Mahomes has been most consistent is his ability to avoid pressure. He has been sacked just six times during season openers. He’s never been sacked more than two times in a single season opener. In three of his seven season openers, Mahomes escaped without being sacked once. That could be the norm again in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers, with a rebuilt left side of the offensive line featuring rookie LT Josh Simmons.
Moving the chains also never seems to be an issue for Mahomes when it comes to Week 1 games. He has picked up 104 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 94 yards and a rushing touchdown in season openers, which isn’t a bad complementary rusher.
The most critical 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 Lions gave Mahomes his lone blemish, a 6-1 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. Their Week 1 game against the Baltimore Ravens in 2024 was much better. Given that the last game this team played was a disappointing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, they’ll be looking to shake off that loss with a dominant win against an AFC West opponent on the world stage.
Chiefs vs. Chargers Week 1 Predictions: Fireworks on the world stage as AFC West foes do battle in São Paulo, Brazil
The A to Z Sports NFL staff makes their predictions for the Chiefs-Chargers Week 1 game in São Paulo, Brazil.
