As Mike Tyson once said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face”. Most would agree that the Kansas City Chiefs suffered the football equivalent of being punched in the face in Saturday’s AFC divisional round when likely 2022 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes left the game with an ankle injury.
Mahomes wound up coming back in later in the contest but in the middle parts the Chiefs were forced to go to backup Chad Henne. Henne is a Michigan product and a player I’ve rooted for in recent years. Why? He graduated college the same year I did and as long as he or the other seven players from the 2008 NFL draft stick around, I won’t feel quite as old watching the NFL.
Henne wasn’t remarkable in Kansas City’s win over the Jaguars, but was effective enough. He completed 5-of-7 pass attempts for 23 yards which included a touchdown toss to Travis Kelce. Those are hardly amazing numbers but without them who knows if the Chiefs move on?
The former second round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins appearing made me feel a hair younger on Saturday. It also made me think of the Notre Dame–Michigan rivalry from 2004-2007 and had me trying to recall how Henne fared against the Irish.
I remembered the game results but didn’t remember his performances specifically. If you’re sick in the head like myself and are curious how Henne performed against Notre Dame then the following is for you.