We've all heard of Michael Jordan's flu game, but are we about to see a similar performance from another rising legend in Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes?
Ahead of a rivalry clash with the Denver Broncos, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been added to the injury report with illness as he's battling the flu, but is expected to play, as reported by The Athletic's Dianna Russini.
Patrick Mahomes has the flu.
He was feeling sick on Saturday. He has been receiving IVs both yesterday and today. He is not feeling great, but he will play, per source.— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 29, 2023
As per the report, Mahomes has been receiving treatment via IV over the past few days, so the illness is clearly taking a noticeable toll on him, but all signs point towards the Chiefs superstar going out and giving it his best shot in Denver. It's shaping up to be perhaps the most challenging possible environment in which to play through illness.
Of course, Denver's home field always a taxing place to play due to the high altitude and thus low oxygen levels, an issue that will only be exacerbated by Mahomes' current condition, but it's also expected to be a tough weather day in Colorado. Anywhere from six inches to over a foot of snow is expected to fall in the area today, so Mahomes will have to really find his inner toughness to not only get through the game, but compete at a high enough level that he's helping his team.
Mahomes is putting a major winning streak on the line by playing through illness; he still has yet to lose to the Broncos despite playing them twice a year every season. In fact, the Chiefs are on a 16-game win streak against Denver, against whom they played a relatively tight, very ugly game just a few weeks ago.
They'll want to keep the streak alive as they jostle for playoff positioning in the AFC and look to defend their Super Bowl title from a year ago. This Chiefs team has looked different from those in years past, but the results have been the same; since an opening day loss, they've won six games in a row, and while it hasn't always been pretty, they're tied for the best record in the NFL.
If anyone can live up to the tall task of maintaining a championship standard it's these Chiefs, but with Mahomes feeling less than his best, this Sunday will present a new challenge. It could spell trouble for Kansas City, but it could also be another thrilling chapter in Mahomes' already-storied career.
