Watching Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen last night made me recall when I was a teenager and played basketball down in the park whenever I could. Pickup games of all forms. Sometimes half court, often full court. Not that I was particularly good, but I always seemed to be chosen by one side and ended up in a game.
A year older than myself was my nemesis Dave, who was in a similar circumstance. As basketball junkies in love in the game, we both spent our free time on the courts whenever we could. We almost always were on opposing sides, we both nominally played point guard. Dave liked playing the point with the ball in his hand, I preferred to give the ball to my teammates. Nothing about the game has changed over time in how point guards view and play the position. Nothing.
All of Our Sufferings Are in the Mind
Dave would try to beat me off the dribble, as he liked getting the ball at the top of the circle. Dave was quick. I don’t remember him having a particularly good outside shot, but that he was quick. And initially Dave had some success against me. One of Dave’s shortcomings to his game was that he only went one way with the ball. As a lefty, he only drove to the left. Playing across from him as a defender, I was quick to realize how one-dimensional Dave’s game was, and soon started positioning myself to allow him to drive to the right.
Dave refused or was unable to drive to his right. His quick steps off the dribble that initially led to baskets soon became utterly ineffective as he was pushed further and further away from the paint. I was there to defend, to torment, and to be a general pain in the side. I have heard it said that all of our sufferings are in the mind. Dave knew that I had his number. And he suffered accordingly.
“Wide Right”
With the dreaded words “Wide right” the Buffalo Bills fell to the Kansas City Chiefs last night as Bills quarterback Josh Allen lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24, as placekicker Tyler Bass missed a field goal attempt late in the game for the tie and potentially send the game into overtime.
Mahomes is now 3-0 against Allen in playoff matchups. The Chiefs previously beat the Bills in the 2021 AFC title game as well as the 2022 divisional round. That game has since been dubbed “13 seconds” as Patrick Mahomes marched the Chiefs 44 yards to allow the placekicker Harrison Butker a chance to tie the game. Butker succeeded with a 49-yard field goal, and the Chiefs scored in overtime to win with a Mahomes-Kelce touchdown.
Mahomes played a flawless game last night, completing 17 passes out of 23 attempts for 215 yards. Not big numbers, but there were no turnovers as Mahomes led an offense that has been misplaced for most of the season. The 27 points scored represents a scoring binge not seen since October when the Chiefs scored 31 points against the Charger and 41 points against the Chicago Bears in September. Neither of those two teams made the playoffs this year. Neither of those two teams have a defense comparable to the Buffalo Bills.
Patrick Mahomes part of Seven Lead Changes
Last night the game changed hands seven times as the Chiefs scored a touchdown in the 4th quarter, putting them ahead for good. In the end it was Tyler Bass with a 44-yard field goal opportunity to tie the game. Unlike Butker, he was not successful. Josh Allen went 26 for 39 last night, rushed for 72 yards and threw for one touchdown. Like Mahomes, a flawless game. But Mahomes has his number.
Players such as Dan Fouts and Warren Moon never made it to the Super Bowl. Both fabulous quarterbacks, both Hall of Famers. Both had their moments where they were unable to get their teams to the Super Bowl. Until he clears the hurdle of not beating Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs, Allen will be linked with Dan Fouts and Warren Moon. Unlike those two, Allen still has a chance to come back next year for another chance at Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs and squelch the suffering.
Barry Schustermann
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