Patrick Mahomes admits Chiefs face an AFC West ‘dogfight’ after back-to-back losses

Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver PostPatrick Mahomes has admitted the Kansas City Chiefs are facing a fight to reclaim control of the AFC West after suffering consecutive defeats against the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos.The Chiefs fell to 5-2 after their latest loss, surrendering top spot in the division to Denver following a dramatic finish that saw a potential game-winning touchdown ruled out by a late false start penalty.Kansas City had another opportunity to score, but Mahomes was sacked on the final play as the Broncos secured a crucial divisional victory.Patrick Mahomes warns Kansas City Chiefs must take AFC West battle one week at a timeSpeaking after the defeat, Mahomes acknowledged that the division race had become increasingly competitive and stressed the importance of focusing on each game.“Now, you’re kind of in a dogfight for the division… You have to take it one week at a time,” Mahomes said, per Charles Goldman.The quarterback also felt his team had shown more fight against Denver than during their previous defeat against Seattle, although the result remained disappointing.“Last week we didn’t have the fight that we had this week. I thought the fight was better this week. Whenever you’re playing up against a really good football team. But at the end a loss is a loss and you learn from it, you move on from it and we’re still early in the season,” Mahomes added.The defeat was Kansas City’s fourth loss to Denver in their last five meetings, with their only victory in that run coming in the opening week of the season.Having lost consecutive games, the Chiefs now need to find a way to turn their performances into results before the division race moves further away from them.Penalties were a major issue against Denver, with Kansas City committing 11 infractions for 105 yards. Mahomes also pointed to miscommunication between himself and his receivers and running backs.The Chiefs have a chance to respond against the New York Jets in Week 9, before facing a challenging stretch that includes the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers.With Denver now ahead in the AFC West, Mahomes and the Chiefs will need to rediscover their winning form quickly if they are to strengthen their position in the division.Read more:New York Giants star mocks Dallas Cowboys’ dramatic loss, ‘this has been…’What Jerry Jones was heard telling Dallas Cowboys fans before Cardinals loss will make him even more angry nowAdam Schefter posts devastating IR injury update for Lamar Jackson after Baltimore Ravens loss