Inside the Numbers delves into the latest NFL statistics, streaks, and trends each week, offering a comprehensive look at the league's most intriguing storylines.
Falling behind by a double-digit deficit is often considered a daunting challenge for most NFL teams. However, for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, it seems to be a situation where they excel. The Chiefs recently staged an impressive comeback from a 14-3 deficit to defeat the Denver Broncos 16-14, marking their second comeback from at least 10 points down this season.
With Mahomes at quarterback, the Chiefs have demonstrated remarkable resilience when facing double-digit deficits. Their .576 win percentage in such situations stands in stark contrast to the historical average of .139 in the NFL and the .160 mark since Mahomes entered the league in 2017. Notably, no other quarterback with at least 20 double-digit deficits has managed to win even 40% of those games.
The Chiefs' ability to thrive under pressure is further highlighted by their 15-game winning streak in the regular season and playoffs, the longest streak in the NFL since the Green Bay Packers won 19 consecutive games in 2010-11. Additionally, Kansas City is only the fifth defending Super Bowl champion to start a season 9-0 or better, positioning them for a potential historic run.
On the other end of the spectrum, the New York Jets and Giants continue to struggle, with both teams facing significant challenges in recent seasons. The Jets, in particular, lead the NFL with 86 losses since 2017, underscoring their ongoing struggles on the field.
Quarterback performances have been a key factor in the teams' lack of success, with Aaron Rodgers of the Jets and Daniel Jones of the Giants facing difficulties in elevating their respective offenses. Rodgers, in particular, has endured a notable decline in performance, failing to throw for at least 300 yards in 33 consecutive starts.
Meanwhile, Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals has been a standout performer, setting records with his exceptional receiving yards against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite Chase's historic achievements, the Bengals have faced challenges in containing Lamar Jackson, resulting in high-scoring matchups between the two teams.
Lastly, Jim Harbaugh's coaching prowess has been evident with the Los Angeles Chargers, as the team has already surpassed last season's win total under his leadership. The Chargers' strong defensive performance has been a key factor in their success, with the team joining a select group of franchises to allow 20 points or fewer in each of the first nine games of a season.
Overall, the NFL landscape continues to offer a mix of compelling storylines, from historic comebacks to standout individual performances, shaping the narrative of the ongoing season.
