Mahomes: Chiefs' underdog status 'lit a fire under some guys'

The Kansas City Chiefs haven't had a lot of experience as underdogs in the playoffs, but it's a role they've embraced on their journey to Super Bowl LVII.

When asked about the Chiefs' underdog status on Thursday, quarterback Patrick Mahomes explained how he and others on the team have used it to their advantage.

"We just haven't had that aspect, so it kind of lit fire under some guys, including myself," Mahomes said during a press conference. "At the end of the day, it's playoff games and you want to win. This is what you play for, and I think that fire would have been - regardless of if we were an underdog or not, that fire would've been lit because this is the time of year that you work for and you put in those hard practices for.

"I think we have that mindset - if we're going to practice the way we do and we're going to work the way we work, we're not going to let it slide by, and we're going to make sure that we maximize our opportunity every time we're out there."

The Chiefs enter Super Bowl LVIII as underdogs to the San Francisco 49ers, just as they were in the divisional round against the Buffalo Bills and the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens.

So far this postseason, Mahomes has completed 68% of his passes for 718 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.