The quarterback that Mahomes can’t beat

In the Patrick Mahomes era, the NFL has learned to live in his shadow. A quarterback who rewrites the script every time he touches the ball. A creator of moments who turns the impossible into routine. Mahomes has shattered records, hoisted Lombardi trophies, and etched his name alongside the game’s greats. And yet, in his storied career, there’s an anomaly - a man who’s eluded his grasp.

It’s not Joe Burrow. Not Josh Allen. Not Lamar Jackson. It’s Jared Goff, the quarterback with pristine mechanics and a no-frills demeanor. They’ve met twice. Mahomes lost both times.

Among all starting quarterbacks Mahomes has faced since 2018, only one remains undefeated against him. Two matchups. Two wins. A statistical outlier that defies logic, reason, and the rhythm of sport.

When has Goff beaten Mahomes?

November 2018. The Rams and Chiefs were slated to clash in Mexico City, but poor field conditions at Estadio Azteca - well below NFL and Players Association standards - forced the league to relocate the game to Los Angeles. Under the bright lights and in a setting that felt scripted for chaos, Mahomes and Goff delivered an offensive duel for the ages.

Many called it the game of the year. 891 combined yards. 10 touchdowns. A back-and-forth slugfest straight out of a Hollywood screenplay. Mahomes threw for 478 yards and six touchdowns - but also three interceptions, one returned for a score. Goff, calm and clinical, countered with zero picks, four touchdowns, and relentless precision. The Rams edged out the Chiefs, 54-51.

Five years later, the script repeated itself. Mahomes entered the 2023 season opener as the reigning champion, fresh off another Super Bowl win, facing a Detroit Lions team reborn under Goff’s leadership. Few expected a close contest.

Detroit stunned the league, winning 21-20. Mahomes passed for 253 yards and a touchdown, but the night was marred by miscues - critical drops, missed throws, and a game-changing interception. Goff, composed as ever, controlled the tempo and exploited the gaps. No fireworks, just pure efficiency. It was a strategic victory - a reminder that brilliance alone doesn’t win games. Execution does.

Contrasting QB characters

Mahomes is the face of the NFL. His charisma fuels ad campaigns, but it’s his on-field dominance that defines him. Two-time league MVP. Three-time Super Bowl champion. Comeback artist. Record-breaker. Goff, quieter by nature, has earned respect through consistency. In their two head-to-head meetings, Goff has thrown for 666 yards, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Mahomes? 704 yards, seven touchdowns - and four picks. In most scenarios, those numbers would favor Mahomes. Not here.

And then there’s the money. Goff’s average annual salary ($53 million) now tops Mahomes’ ($45 million). Mahomes still holds the richest contract in NFL history - a 10-year deal that redefined sports investment. Yet Goff owns a record that money can’t buy: undefeated against the best of his generation.

When they meet again, it won’t be just another Sunday Night Football showdown. It’ll be the continuation of a statistical oddity that defies the narrative. Mahomes can beat defenses, blitzes, the clock, even physics. But he still hasn’t figured out how to beat Jared Goff.

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