Week 14 at New England Patriots
For the second time in his career (not including the game he left early due to injury), Patrick Mahomes was held below 200 passing yards and oddly enough both games have been over the past two weeks. He also only threw one touchdown in each game, although he did run in a score last week to help boost his numbers. During the worst stretch of his career, Mahomes now faces the best defense in football -- New England. There might be a small part of you wondering if you should bench Mahomes this week, but unless you have another strong option, we'd advise against it. The Patriots have been tough, but we've seen Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson have success against them. Mahomes should still be viewed as a QB1 this week.
Week 13 vs. Oakland Raiders
Patrick Mahomes had his worst game as a starter in Week 11, finishing with just 182 yards and one touchdown with one interception. He did lead the Chiefs in rushing, though, finishing with a season-high 59 yards on the ground. He should bounce back this week in a favorable matchup against the Raiders. Oakland is giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Also, we've already seen Mahomes tear apart the Raiders for 443 yards and four touchdowns earlier in the year. Start Mahomes with confidence in Week 13.
Week 11 at Los Angeles Chargers
It's safe to say Patrick Mahomes is fine after missing two games with injury. In his first return to action, the Chiefs quarterback threw for 446 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers. He does get a tough matchup this week against the Chargers who are allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. But Mahomes should be viewed as matchup-proof, because he is. Start him as your QB1 with confidence.
Week 10 at Tennessee Titans
Patrick Mahomes was a full participant in practice on Thursday, which means he has a strong chance of returning from injury this week. Of course, his health status is worth monitoring until there's official confirmation that he's active. But if he does play, he should be a great start. He was having a fantastic season before his injury, and is the reigning league MVP. He doesn't get a great matchup against the Titans, but it's not a terrible one, either. Trust him as your QB1 this week, assuming he's active.
Week 7 at Denver Broncos
Patrick Mahomes had his lowest yardage output of the season last week (273), but still had a great game as he finished with three touchdowns. His primary weapon (Tyreek Hill) returned to the lineup and caught two of those three scores. With Sammy Watkins expected to return this week, Mahomes should have plenty of talent surrounding him after being without it for several weeks. He does get a tough matchup against the Broncos on a short week, however. Denver is allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. But Mahomes is too talented to bench and should be viewed as a must-start option in Week 7.
Week 6 vs. Houston Texans
Patrick Mahomes has just one touchdown in his last two games after throwing 10 in his first three. It's an odd downturn for the Chiefs quarterback, but the positive for fantasy owners is that he's still playing well. Despite just throwing one touchdown, Mahomes has thrown for over 300 yards in each of the last two games. In fact, he's had over 300 yards in every game this season. He should continue to produce at a high level this week against the Texans as Houston is allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Start Mahomes as your QB1 with confidence.
Week 5 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Patrick Mahomes had his worst game of the season in Week 4 as he was held without a touchdown for the first time since his first career start in 2017. He wasn't awful, throwing for 315 yards with no turnovers (he also ran for 54 yards), but fantasy owners have expected more from Mahomes. But owners will just need to shake that performance off as Mahomes should be fine moving forward. He still had 300 yards and he gets a good matchup against the Colts this week. He's an easy must-start QB1 play.
Week 4 at Detroit Lions
I could keep this short and simple and just say: start Patrick Mahomes. But where's the fun in that? As you're well aware if you own him, Mahomes has been on fire so far this season. He has at least 370 passing yards and three touchdowns in every game this season. He also hasn't thrown an interception. And this week he plays indoors for the first time in his NFL career. In college, he averaged 492.25 passing yards and 4.75 touchdowns in four indoors games. The Lions haven't exactly been tough on passers, either, so Mahomes is an easy must-start candidate.
Week 3 at Baltimore Ravens
Patrick Mahomes didn't skip a beat from a year ago as he's still doing incredible things. Last week he threw for a ridiculous 443 yards and four touchdowns while still not throwing an interception on the season. Fun fact: Mahomes had more fantasy points in the second quarter of Week 2's game than Baker Mayfield, Derek Carr, Jameis Winston, Mitch Trubisky and Kirk Cousins have had all season.
He does face a tough Ravens defense this week. Baltimore has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to QBs in 2019, giving up just one passing score in two games. But the matchup shouldn't worry you. Kyler Murray still threw for 300+ yards in Week 2 against Baltimore, he just didn't score. And Mahomes played well last season against the Ravens, finishing with 377 passing yards and two touchdowns (one interception). Mahomes is an easy must-start QB1.
Week 2 at Oakland Raiders
Patrick Mahomes is back to doing Patrick Mahomes things. He torched the Jaguars' defense in Week 1, throwing for 378 yards with three touchdowns and no picks. He even played well despite the fact his main receiver (Tyreek Hill) had to leave early due to an injury. Expect another top-tier performance from Mahomes in Week 2. He gets a favorable matchup against the Raiders, who allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs in 2018. You drafted Mahomes early for a reason. He's a must-start QB1 option against Oakland.
