Patrick Mahomes felt like he owed an apology after helping the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship, sending them to the Super Bowl for the third year in a row.

Not because of the victory, but because of what could be the worst spike in NFL history.

In a tense game between two of the league’s top teams, the Chiefs were pushing forward early in the fourth quarter for a go-ahead score. Mahomes ran to the right and powered into the end zone. Filled with excitement, he jumped to his feet and tried to spike the ball, only for it to slip out of his hand and roll toward the sideline.

“That,” Mahomes said, “is why I don’t try to spike the ball.”

It was an expression of raw emotion from a quarterback known for his intense drive to win. But during the drive that led to the touchdown, Mahomes had been calm, focused, and in control.

As the Chiefs prepare for their matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans next weekend, Mahomes is what his teammates and coaches in Kansas City have come to call “Laid-Back Pat.”

“The pressure part of it, when things can dilate you a little bit — when things are tight — don’t do that to him,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid explained. “He kind of flourishes in those moments when they’re the toughest. He’s just wired that way.”

The best athletes in sports often have this quality. And Mahomes is certainly one of the best. With three Super Bowl rings and chasing a fourth, plus the chance to win a third straight, Mahomes is already a two-time MVP and breaking records every year. He is the face of a team that has become a true dynasty.

“He’s the best player I ever played with,” Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said. “I played with J.J. Watt, and J.J. Watt is definitely a Hall of Famer. But Pat is definitely the best player I ever played with.”

And Mahomes shines the brightest when the pressure is at its peak.

Take the Chiefs’ record 17 consecutive wins in games decided by one possession, or Mahomes’ impressive 27 wins and 26 losses in games where his team was behind in the fourth quarter. The next-best quarterback with at least 25 starts has a winning percentage of just 38.6.

In the postseason, where the pressure is even higher, Mahomes has led the Chiefs to points on 13 of 14 drives when they were within one possession in the fourth quarter or overtime. He’s thrown for 552 yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions, and has added a rushing touchdown.

In nine playoff games where the Chiefs trailed in the fourth quarter, Mahomes has led them to six come-from-behind wins. In two of the three losses, he got the Chiefs to overtime.

“Whatever he’s got to do to get us to the next level, to win the game,” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said, “Pat’s going to do it.”

This composure has been with Mahomes since he was young, growing up as the son of former big league pitcher Pat Mahomes Sr. Whether it was baseball, basketball, or football, Mahomes was always the one to stay calm.

“I’m sure growing up in a locker room with his dad was a big part of that, or at least a part of it,” Reid said. “But some of it is just innate, that’s given to you. He’s one of those guys, the tighter the situation, the looser he plays.”

Few situations are tougher than the Super Bowl, where Mahomes is about to play for the fifth time.

In his first appearance, against San Francisco in 2020, the Chiefs were down 20-10 with just over 6 minutes left, but Mahomes led them to three straight touchdowns for a 31-20 win.

Three years later, against Philadelphia, the Chiefs were trailing 27-21 in the fourth quarter, but Mahomes helped set up a field goal for a 38-35 victory. Last year, the 49ers led twice in the fourth quarter and once in overtime, but Mahomes led the Chiefs back to a 25-22 win.

While the Chiefs would love to defeat Philadelphia easily in their Super Bowl rematch on Feb. 9, they know they can rely on their calm quarterback to get the job done if the game comes down to the wire.

“He has a history of doing those things in his career, in big-time moments,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said with a smile. “It’s usually a critical moment that he makes the play. That’s who he is.”