Bill Belichick breaks down why Lions and Chiefs keep winning games they are "not supposed to win"
Bill Belichick's analysis explains why Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff keep achieving seemingly impossible victories. Their secret weapon? An uncanny ability to strike at the perfect moment.
Legendary NFL coach Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl-winning coach known for his strategic mastery, offered his insights on how the Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs and Goff-led Detroit Lions have dominated their respective conferences with a combined 17-1 record.
Speaking on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Monday, Bill Belichick broke down the winning formula that has made Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff nearly impossible to beat.
"It's great, a great job by those teams of just finding a way to win," Bill Belichick said to Pat McAfee. "Whether it's defensively, for the Chiefs, making a stop like they did against Atlanta or driving to win the game like they did last week against Tampa or blocking a field goal. It's just finding a way to win and same thing with the Lions," he added.
Patrick Mahomes's Kansas City Chiefs have proven this resilience repeatedly. Their season almost reads like a thriller novel: a Week 1 victory because Isaiah Likely's feet were a centimeter too big, a Week 2 win thanks to a crucial pass interference on 4th-and-16 against Cincinnati, and a Week 3 triumph after stopping Bijan Robinson on fourth-and-1. In Week 10, against Denver, they climbed out of a 14-3 hole to set up a dramatic blocked field goal finish.
The Detroit Lions have showcased their versatility by scoring 42+ points in three different games while also grinding out victories in unfavorable conditions, like their Week 9 win in a rain-soaked Lambeau Field.
Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff's art of seizing opportunities as per Bill Belichick
"One little thing, they'll take advantage of it. It's not a little thing, but one thing," Bill Belichick on how both teams capitalized on their opponents' mistakes.
The transformation has been particularly striking for Detroit. Their secondary, once considered their fatal flaw in 2023, now ranks fifth in the NFL with -0.072 expected points added per opponent dropback.
Despite offensive struggles, like their running backs averaging just 2.4 yards per carry against Denver, Kansas City keeps finding ways to win through Patrick Mahomes' late-game heroics and Steve Spagnuolo's defensive unit, which tightens up in crucial moments.
These aren't just lucky breaks. Both teams have seemingly mastered the art of balanced football. The Lions proved this against Houston, overcoming Goff's five interceptions with three straight scoring drives to erase a 16-point deficit.
The Chiefs demonstrated it by blocking Will Lutz's potential game-winning 35-yard field goal against Denver, turning an 80% loss probability into another victory for Patrick Mahomes.
The message is clear: balanced teams that can execute in critical moments will find ways to win in the NFL.
"Having a balanced team. Being able to step up and do what you need to do at the right time," Bill Belichick said.
Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff have mastered this formula, making their potential Super Bowl 59 matchup feel increasingly inevitable.