How do you beat Mahomes? "Mess him up just enough."

[Auggie]

It's actually the way to attack any superstar quarterback -- constantly change front personnel and coverages and make alignments tough to predict. Here's how Lou Anarumo, Cincinnati's defensive coordinator, did it in the 2021 AFC Championship Game that the Bengals won.

After Mahomes went 18-for-21 in the first half, throwing for 220 yards and three touchdowns, Anarumo went to a single-high safety alignment — putting the other safety into the middle of the field to disrupt intermediate routes — and frequently dropped eight defenders into coverage.

Mahomes became increasingly confused: In the second half and overtime he was 8-for-18 for 55 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, including the one that set up the Bengals’ winning field goal.

It was Mahomes’ third consecutive defeat against Anarumo’s defense, though he has since run his career record against the coordinator to 2-3.

Recalled Anarumo: "We certainly didn’t mess him up the whole game. We just did enough. And then when the opportunities presented themselves we were able to take advantage."

LINK (paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/michaelsilver/article/49ers-contain-chiefs-qb-patrick-mahomes-sb-lviii-18647649.php

One thing I see Kansas City do so well time after time is to have receivers drift back towards the line of scrimmage after completing their routes. Coverage is playing several yards behind them, trying to contain. Mahomes, usually well out of the pocket by then, and scrambling to avoid the pass rush, simply flips them the ball for an easy gain and/or first down.

Maybe the way to attack Mahomes is the way they went after Philly's Jalen Hurts earlier this year: don't try to sack him, just keep him contained in the pocket. Mix up the coverage and keep him guessing. A ball control offense and lots of points from the 49er offense would help too.