Patrick Mahomes played his worst game of the 2023/24 season in a loss to the Raiders on Christmas. The Chiefs turned the ball over twice, allowed four sacks, and scored 14 points.
Las Vegas tormented Kansas City for 60 minutes straight to that point that NFL fans, analysts and casual observers either crossed the reigning Super Bowl champions off of their list of contenders or came extremely close. Aidan O’Connell completed just nine passes for 62 yards and still left Arrowhead Stadium with a win. It was ugly.
According to Antonio Pierce, the unattractive nature of the Raiders’ win was intentional. He was named the interim head coach after Josh McDaniels’ ouster and implemented a very specific game plan to beat Patrick Mahomes and company.
Las Vegas took a page out of the Pistons’ playbook from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Pierce implemented the ‘Jordan Rules’ for the superstar dual-threat quarterback.
The strategy, which helped Detroit beat Chicago en route to back-to-back NBA titles, was designed to shut down Michael Jordan. Coach Chuck Daly was the mastermind.
If Michael was at the point, we forced him left and doubled him. If he was on the left wing, we went immediately to a double team from the top. If he was on the right wing, we went to a slow double team. He could hurt you equally from either wing—hell, he could hurt you from the hot-dog stand—but we just wanted to vary the look. And if he was on the box, we doubled with a big guy. The other rule was, any time he went by you, you had to nail him. If he was coming off a screen, nail him. We didn’t want to be dirty—I know some people thought we were—but we had to make contact and be very physical.
— Chuck Daly
Pierce took that same approach into his first game against the Chiefs as a head coach. He appeared on Maxx Crosby’s podcast and explained the ‘Patrick Mahomes rules’ in his own words.
We’ve got the Jordan rules and we’ve got what I’m calling now, from now on as long as I’m here, the Patrick Mahomes rules. You remember when Jordan was going through it with the Pistons, all those guys in the ’80s before he became Michael Jordan, Air Jordan, the Pistons used to whip his a–. Any time he came to the hole, elbows, feeling him, love taps. We’re in his head, mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, I’m touching you. So I showed my guys Jordan getting his a– whooped.
— Antonio Pierce, The Rush
To help his team prepare for battle, Pierce shows them videos of boxing matches and UFC fights. It is supposed to set the tone for the kind of aggression he expects.
As for Mahomes and the Chiefs, Pierce demanded a fighter’s mentality.
We’ve got to knock off the head of the snake. Fifteen. Hate the color red. There’s a hatred for the Chiefs.
— Antonio Pierce, via The Rush
Las Vegas’ defense implemented the Mahomes Rules to perfection. They tormented the eventual Super Bowl MVP throughout all four quarters.
They hit him hard, a lot.
The strategy was a great success. Mahomes played his worst game of the season and the Raiders stole Christmas from the champions.