Chiefs Are Still Betting Favorites Despite Mahomes in Concussion Protocol

Mahomes left last weekend’s game against the Cleveland Browns after he staggered to get up following a hit. Head coach Andy Reid refused to call it a concussion after the game but on Tuesday, the Chiefs’ superstar QB was placed in the league’s concussion protocol.

There are varied reports on Mahomes’ status. Some say that he didn’t really suffer a concussion but may have tweaked a nerve. But regardless of what went wrong with Mahomes, his status remains as the most crucial factor heading to their title game against the Buffalo Bills.

Hennething Is Possible

If Mahomes is unable to play, then the Chiefs will have to go Henne in Sunday’s AFC title game. Henne took over when Mahomes left last weekend’s game and he finished the drive that Mahomes left behind with a field goal conversion for the Chiefs.

#HenneThingIsPossible pic.twitter.com/2TkkWiyf0p

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 17, 2021

However, the Kansas City defense allowed Browns to get within striking distance via a Kareem Hunt rushing touchdowns. Cleveland later had a chance to take the lead but fortunately, the Chiefs’ defense made some big stops and Henne made two big plays down the stretch to help the defending Super Bowl champions preserve a 22-17 lead. “Hennething is possible”, or so Mahomes said via Twitter.

But going to the AFC championship game with Henne as the starter against a Buffalo Bills team that is playing great football right now could be a different story for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Who Is Chad Henne?

Chad Henne is Michigan’s all-time passing leader in attempts (1,387), completions (828), yards (9,715), and touchdowns (87). His 87 TD passes are the third-most in the history of the Big Ten, behind only T.J. Barrett (104), and Drew Brees (90). Henne led the Wolverines to a victory over Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators in his final college game. However, his NFL career hasn’t been as successful.

Chad Henne hasn’t won a game since 2013.

Chad Hanne had never thrown a postseason pass.

Chad Henne just put it all on the line to help lift the Chiefs to the AFC Championship Game. pic.twitter.com/od8rS6sYPK

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 17, 2021

Henn was a second-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2008. He started in a total of 31 games in four seasons for the Dolphins, completing 60.6% of his passes while throwing 31 touchdowns and 37 interceptions. He moved on to Jacksonville where he played mostly as a back-up. With the Jaguars, he threw 27 touchdowns and 26 interceptions while completing 57.6% of his passes.

The former University of Michigan standout signed with Kansas City in 2018 and didn’t take a single snap in the 2019 season due to a fractured ankle. Henne was the Chiefs’ back-up quarterback during their Super Bowl run so he has a championship ring with them. He has appeared on the roster of 8 postseason games but had never played in one until Mahomes got hurt last week.

Chiefs Still Super Bowl Favorites

Despite the real possibility that Henne could be starting for the Chiefs on Sunday, oddsmakers expect Mahomes to play and have installed the Chiefs as three-point betting favorites against Buffalo. Online sportsbook SportsBetting.ag also still has the Chiefs tied with the Packers for the best odds to win Super Bowl LV at +200.

Oddsmakers expect Mahomes to play, keep Chiefs as Super Bowl favorites https://t.co/nr3Xs2WBFX pic.twitter.com/gtnrXIKZkK

— Ron Bohning (@RonBohning) January 18, 2021

Of course, the odds could still change if Mahomes unfortunately won’t be able to start on Sunday. In an interview with ESPN, Las Vegas SuperBook executive director John Murray said that he expects the Bills to become the favorites if the former MVP doesn’t start for Kansas City. According to ESPN, one oddsmaker at the SuperBook even said that Buffalo could be as much as a 7-point favorite if Henne is the confirmed starter.

A lot of things could still happen between now and Sunday. But even if Mahomes plays, he may or may not be 100%. The Chiefs have a good defense but they are who they are right now because of their offense. KC ranked 1st in the league in passing yards and 6th in scoring. It’s going to be different if Mahomes doesn’t start. The Chiefs are hoping that the oddsmakers are spot on with their Patrick Mahomes Outlook.