Travis Kelce’s would-be game-winning lateral against Bills was ‘100 PERCENT IMPROV,’ says Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: ‘Shame it didn’t count, but it shows the type of player that he is’
- Q: Kelsey Toney’s hit, which was called off by officials, was impromptu.
- An offsides call negated the potential game-winning touchdown, and the Bills won.
- READ MORE: Patrick Mahomes Admits He Regrets Sideline Loss
Taylor Swift may be an accomplished songwriter, but her boyfriend Travis Kelce is clearly an improvisational talent in relationships.
Kelce’s potential game-winning pass against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night was completely unplanned, says his Kansas City Chiefs teammate Patrick Mahomes.
The game was called off after Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney was called offsides, resulting in a 20-17 loss for Kansas City. But officiating aside, Kelce’s fourth-quarter savvy at Arrowhead Stadium was a prime example of his understanding of the game, Mahomes said. 610 Sports Radio’s The Drive.
“100 percent improvisation, man,” Mahomes said Monday. “He’s just a great player who delivered a great performance at a big moment. Just to know his surroundings and know that this guy is open all over the field, passing him the ball, trying to make plays for the team. It was a really cool play. It’s a shame it didn’t count, but it shows what kind of player he is.”
The play unfolded with just over a minute left in Sunday’s game when Mahomes threw a 25-yard pass to Kelce, who would have gone deep into Bills territory for the game-tying field goal. But instead, the All-Pro tight end turned the field over, throwing an onside kick to Toney on the opposite sideline for what appeared to be the game-winning touchdown.
Travis Kelce (87) throws the ball toward Buffalo Bills cornerback Cam Lewis (39) in the fourth.
According to Mahomes (right), Kelce’s side kick (left) was another example of the tight end’s talent.
“To be able to throw the ball across the field in less than two minutes in a big football game against a good team,” Mahomes continued, “he’s a legendary player. He does a lot of great things. He has confidence that he will do it. He knows the field and he seems to play at a different speed than everyone else to slow down and make decisions in that moment.”
Alas, Kelsey’s brilliance was not enough as replays showed Tony was clearly offside.
As for the offside call and Mahomes’ belligerent frustration with the officials on the sideline, the reigning Super Bowl MVP took a different tone Monday.
“These things happen, you have to move on,” said Mahomes, who refused to point the finger at Tony.
But a new photo has surfaced that shows Tony (center, below) was offsides against the Bills.
He also seemed to regret his exit from the game.
“You can’t do that to officials or anyone else in life,” Mahomes said, adding, “That’s not a good example for kids watching the game.”
As for the 8-5 Chiefs, they are still in first place in the AFC West, although they now trail the 10-3 Baltimore Ravens and 9-4 Miami Dolphins for first place and a bye in the first round of the postseason.
“We still have four games left and we have to do everything we can to try and win the division and get into the playoffs,” he said.