It’s AMAZING how useful DISC can be! It’s also AMAZING how accurate DISC can be!
Last week we wrote two articles using DISC to analyze the two 2025 Super Bowl quarterbacks. In Part 1 we looked at Patrick Mahomes’ (of the Kansas City Chiefs) and Jalen Hurts’ (of the Philadelphia Eagles) DISC profiles. In Part 2 we presented what the opposing team needed to do, according to the quarterback’s DISC, to shut down the opposing team’s quarterback and win the Super Bowl.
WOW! We really nailed it. Part 1 and Part 2’s accuracy was uncanny. Go to our blog at www.theabelsongroup.com if you want to read Parts 1 & 2. We go into more depth below showing how the statistics from the game demonstrated the power of DISC as a predictor of actions and outcomes.
As we know, the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl. So, my comments below pertain exclusively to how the Eagles neutralized Patrick Mahomes. For a brief refresher of Part 1 in this series, Patrick Mahomes is a fairly intense “D” and “I” (also known as a Persuader). Persuaders’ behaviors typically are optimistic, risk taking, persuasive, inspiring, process oriented, and independent. There are a number of other possible behaviors, but these are the core focus.
We predicted the Eagles should exploit and focus on three different weaknesses of Mr. Mahomes. They were:
- Risk Taking – he likes improvisation, big plays, and sometimes takes unnecessary risks.
- Confidence & Momentum – he feeds off energy and success; if disrupted early, frustration sets in.
- Scrambling & Play Extensions – he likes being outside the pocket, so keep him from scrambling.
It didn’t take long before Mahomes had two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. That had to impact his willingness to take risks. The Eagles also protected the edge and rarely did Mahomes get outside the pocket without one or two Eagles pursuing him very closely. They sacked him repeatedly (3 times in the first half / 6 times in the game) and they created a number of rushed passes. Mahomes was only 5 of 11 passing for a total of only 24 yards, with only one first down, in the entire first half. The Eagles really destroyed his confidence, decreased his willingness to take risks, and contained the impact of his scrambling. At the half, Kansas City had “0” points (only the 3rd time in Mahomes 112 games playing as a pro, has that happened), while the Eagles has 24 points.
In addition to exploiting Patrick Mahomes’ weaknesses, we predicted what the Eagles should do regarding their “game plan.” We suggested disguised coverages with mixed pressures, keep Mahomes in the pocket, limit explosive plays, and control possessions to keep Mahomes off the field.
What did the Eagles do regarding these? They…
- pressured Mahomes without mercy.
- modified coverages and made last second changes.
- pressured so well, the passes over the middle that usually worked to Travis Kelce, didn’t work. Travis Kelce had zero catches in the first half. His first of 4 catches (for only 39 total yards) happened at 3:24 left in quarter 3, while the Eagles were already ahead 34 to 0.
- protected the “edge” and frequently collapsed the pocket on Mahomes.
- eliminated the deep throws through most of the game until the 4th quarter.
- kept Kansas City from even crossing the 50 yard line until the second half.
- used Saquon Barkley, even though he didn’t have many yards the entire game, to control the amount of time the Eagles had the ball and Mahomes did not. In the first half the Eagles had the ball 19:59 minutes vs. the Chief’s 10:01 minutes.
The first half statistics were so lopsided for the Eagles that Mahomes’ confidence, lack of momentum, need to scramble, lack of production, interceptions, and a 24 to 0 score, had their toll that continued for almost the entire game. By the time Mahomes had his usual success, the score was already 34 to 6 and there were too few minutes remaining in the game to perform his usual magic.
We don’t know if the Eagles saw our comments last week. We doubt they did. But, it was obvious from statistics of the game, the Eagles surely had a strategy similar to what we suggested they should have considering Patrick Mahomes’ DISC profile. They didn’t allow Mahomes to benefit from his DISC profile. They actually used his DISC profile against him. Imagine what you could do with this type of knowledge applied to the people in your life, especially when you use this knowledge to benefit them and you. Attending our DISC & Motivators training will give you these type of tools. You’ll be implementing DISC profile strengths and limitations for the betterment of your business practices as well as your business and personal relationships.
