Let's clear the air about something: Yes, it's a 17-game season now.
Now that that's out of the way, Patrick Mahomes is entering Week 18 with 5,048 passing yards, the 15th 5,000-yard season in NFL history and 13th all-time.
Mahomes is 429 yards off Peyton Manning's record of 5,477 yards, set with the Broncos in 2013. As the Chiefs get ready to play the Raiders with the No. 1 seed in the AFC on the line, Mahomes does have a shot at that record -- but it's unlikely.
More attainable is Mahomes' personal best total, which is 5,097. He's almost certain to set a career high against the Raiders with the No. 1 seed on the line in the AFC West.
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What is the NFL single-season passing record?
Peyton Manning holds the record for most single-season passing yards, having thrown for 5,477 yards in 2013 with the Denver Broncos.
That year was manning's first and only career 5,000-plus yard season. This is the second of Mahomes' already-illustrious career.
Mahomes is 429 yards off the pace of Manning's 5,477. Drew Brees has the second-highest total at 5,476, and Tom Brady is at third with 5,316. Mahomes would need 220 yards to get to third place.
How many 400-yard games does Mahomes have?
Mahomes has thrown for 400-plus yards eight times in his NFL career. His career high is 478 against the Rams in 2018.
One of those games came against the Raiders in 2021, when he threw for 406 yards against Las Vegas in November.
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How good is the Raiders pass defense?
The Chiefs will be playing with stakes in Week 18, as the Bills are scheduled to play on Sunday while the Chiefs play Saturday.
The Raiders, meanwhile, are already eliminated from the postseason and licking their wounds heading into next year.
Regardless of weight, the Raiders are in the bottom of the league in pass defense. They've allowed 3,948 yards this year, 29th in the NFL ahead of the Lions, Vikings, and Titans. In their first meeting this year, Mahomes threw for 292 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions.
What are Mahomes' chances of catching Manning?
Realistically, they chances are very slim.
Mahomes does have two 400-yard games this year -- 446 against the Titans in November and 423 against the 49ers in October.
Mahomes is always primed for a career game, so there's a chance he can set the single-season record. However, it's somewhat unlikely and would require at least his second-best total of the year.
