The Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes calls this season perhaps the most challenging of his career

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes was willing to admit Thursday that this season has been perhaps the most challenging of his career.

His statistics were down across the board. The Chiefs lost six games, including five in an eight-week stretch midway through the season. He had several very visible sideline blowups, his pent-up anger directed at teammates and officials alike.

“I would say it's just challenging in the fact that I had to deal with a lot of adversity, not having the success that I've had in the past,” Mahomes explained. “Knock on wood, I haven't had to deal with the injuries I have had before, but at the same time, being able to not win all the games and go out there and have big stats and all that kind of stuff has been different.”

Indeed, this has been a much different season for the Chiefs, even if the result has largely been the same: They will be playing in their sixth consecutive AFC championship game when they face the Ravens on Sunday in Baltimore.