Is Patrick Mahomes kryptonite Two-High Safety coverage?

Patrick Mahomes has looked horrible this season. He has not looked like the superstar he once did. NFL teams are learning how to beat Mahomes, and it is working.

Mahomes is tied for first in the NFL right now with 9 interceptions, which is more than what he had all last year.

Defensive Coordinators around the league are finding ways to disrupt him and it is working. He is only averaging 7.6 yards per completion. The defenses are finding a way to shut him down.

According to Joey Analytics on Twitter, Mahomes Kryptonite is two-high safety. He has the highest rate in the NFL right now, and it is working.

Patrick Mahomes is facing two-high safety coverages at the highest rate in the NFL this season. Opposing defenses are clearly attempting to prevent the Chiefs explosive pass, and it’s working thus far. pic.twitter.com/myoeFOxV2u

— Joey (@joeyanalytics) October 28, 2021

So what is two-high safety? It is simply Cover 2. The old Buccaneers defense.

When defending the field, the defense typically divides the area vertically into “halves.” The underneath half typically extends 7 yards from the line of scrimmage and the deep half usually extends 15-20 from the line of scrimmage.

In the double-high safety defense (cover 2), the free safety and the strong safety play zone defense and each guard half of the deep half. They must cover any receiver entering their respective half of the field and drive towards to the ball once it is in the air.

So the NFL teams are limiting the big play. If they can limit Tyreek Hill burning them and keep him underneath, they can stop the big chunk plays. Same with Kelce. The NFL seems to have a grip on Mahomes, we will have to see if Andy Reid and company can figure out how to exploit the Cover 2!