You know that game where the Raiders handed the Chiefs a rare loss right before they snagged their third Super Bowl win in five years? Yeah, it was that Christmas Day showdown, and it seems the Raiders had a few tricks up their sleeves to pull it off.
Former interim and now full-time head coach Antonio Pierce spilled the beans on their strategy while chatting on Maxx Crosby’s podcast, “The Rush.” He revealed they had something they called the “Jordan rules,” but for Patrick Mahomes.
Now, what are these “Jordan rules,” you ask? Well, Pierce compared it to how the Pistons used to rough up Michael Jordan back in the day. They were all over him, making every drive to the hoop a challenge. The idea was to rattle Mahomes, both physically and mentally.
And boy, did it work! In that game, Mahomes was kept to just 235 yards and a lone touchdown, with the Raiders’ defense hitting him a whopping 10 times, including four sacks, and even snagging an interception.
The Raiders’ gritty performance in their 20-14 victory didn’t go unnoticed. Chiefs head honcho Andy Reid later admitted it was a bit of a wake-up call for his squad, and many of the Chiefs players pointed to that game as a turning point in their championship run.
But Pierce isn’t done stirring the pot. He sees the Chiefs using their facilities for the Super Bowl as fuel for the Raiders in the future. And now, with the “Jordan rules” out in the open, you can bet Mahomes and the Chiefs will be itching for a rematch against the Raiders.
So, football fans, get ready for some heated matchups between these two rivals. It’s about to get even more intense!