Patrick Mahomes on Chiefs Blowing 21-3 Lead to Bengals: 'You Can't Lose It'

After the Kansas City Chiefs threw away an 18-point lead and lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, Patrick Mahomes assumed a level of responsibility.

When you're up 21-3 in a game, you can't lose it, and I put that on myself.

Patrick Mahomes II @PatrickMahomes

Love y’all #ChiefsKingdom. This one hurts but we will be back! See y’all next year!

Kansas City was in a good position at the half after Mahomes threw for 220 yards and three touchdown. The aerial attack by the Chiefs was grounded in the second half.

There were a pair of costly turnovers.

A short field in the third quarter was set up by a B.J. Hill interception and a two-point conversion reception by Ja'Marr Chase. In overtime, Vonn Bell's pick up was the key moment as the Bengals got into position for the game-winning field goal.

Cincinnati Bengals @Bengals

RING THAT BELL! <br><br>Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/dDZVDGwW3i

On the final play of the first half, he dumped the ball off to Hill, who was unable to find the end zone. Kansas City left three points on the board.

NFL @NFL

What a stop by the @Bengals defense to end the half! #NFLPlayoffs #RuleTheJungle<br><br>📺: #CINvsKC on CBS<br>📱: https://t.co/dKNUFkxkbU pic.twitter.com/Rxtmq9cnBt

The head coach admitted to his role in that sequence.

He told reporters that he was hoping for the ball in the end zone. I could have given him something better.

Apportioning blame is inevitable after a team loses in the playoffs, and the collapse of Kansas City will invite more second-guessing. The problem for the Chiefs was that they didn't have much of a counter when the Bengals dropped more defenders in the second half.

Next Gen Stats @NextGenStats

The #Bengals dropped 8+ defenders in coverage on a season-high 35% of pass plays.<br><br>Patrick Mahomes struggled against 8+ defenders in coverage, completing just 7 of 13 passes for 59 yards &amp; an INT with 2 sacks (-14.4 pass EPA, career-low).#CINvsKC | #RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/oGWhaVWx6z

It summed up the general sentiment about how you don't bet against when it's grim, be the Grim Reaper.

Sunday was a reminder of the fallibility of great players.