The Chiefs won their seventh consecutive AFC West championship on Sunday night after pulling off another miracle comeback to defeat the Chargers 19–17. Naturally, with several crucial plays, Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes rolled back the clock on the game-winning drive.
In an interview with reporters after the game, Mahomes revealed a crucial third-down play that would help the team win. The Chiefs were able to waste the remaining seconds before the last field goal when Mahomes found Kelce on a nine-yard completion under pressure.
It turns out that Kelce found space before letting Mahomes finish the run instead of running the route he was intended to.
On the 3rd Down conversion to Kelce at the end: “(Mahomes) said I’ll make something up..” mentions it was a ‘Naked’ play call with an option. Not necessarily how it was designed, but it works.
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) December 9, 2024
According to Andy Reid, Mahomes promised to “make something up” and then mentioned that Kelce was expected to run a corner route. Rather, he waited for Mahomes to see him while sitting over the center of the field.
When the situation calls for it, Kelce can alter the play he’s intended to do thanks to his improvisational skills and rapport with Mahomes.
In total, Mahomes threw for 210 yards and a touchdown, while Kelce ended with five catches for 45 yards. He kept the ball in Kansas City’s possession late on by refusing to turn it over.
The excellent defense performance was also one of the most important lessons learned. The defense kept the Chargers scoreless in the first half, despite the fact that they are a good club and will be in the playoffs. Although the game was well within reach when Kelce and Mahomes took matters into their own hands, Los Angeles eventually staged a comeback.
#Chiefs HC Andy Reid: "That play that Pat and Kelce made at the end there was something. That's not quite the way it was drawn up."
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) December 9, 2024
With four games remaining, the Chiefs lead the AFC by two games as a result of the Bills’ defeat by the Rams. Before facing the Steelers on Christmas Day, they will play the Browns the following week. If they win both of those, they might be guaranteed the top seed in the coming weeks.
