Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is sacked by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The third-year edge rusher has been on a tear of late. This one he put the Raiders on his back and put Partick Mahomes on his. Three times, in fact, which is the most sacks any single player has ever had on Mahomes in one game.
It’s befitting that the first play of the game was Koonce making a run stuff for no gain. It started a three-and-out. The next time the Chiefs got the ball, they again went three-and-out, with Koonce making the sack on third down.
The Chiefs’ third possession they would get a first down off of a holding. But two plays later Koonce made the tackle for loss and the Chiefs exited the field on the next play.
The final Chiefs’ drive he added a pressure for an incompletion and they would miss the field goal attempt to keep it 17-7 at the half.
The first two plays of the third quarter for the Chiefs saw Koonce make a run stop and then get his second sack of the game. It would end with a turnover on downs. Next possession, Koonce picked up his third sack and the Chiefs went three-and-out. Next drive he forced a holding penalty on a drive that led to another turnover on downs.
Late in the fourth quarter, he very nearly came up with his fourth sack of the game, but Mahomes just slipped out of his grasp and found his receiver for a TD to make it interesting late.
