KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has made countless off-schedule and eye-catching plays throughout his career, but against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football, the 2018 NFL MVP pulled a rabbit out of a hat and even impressed himself.
Early in the second quarter, the Chiefs were in the redzone looking to add to their 14-3 lead. Mahomes took the snap under center and faked a handoff to fullback Michael Burton.
Bucs defensive lineman Patrick O’Connor was unblocked running full head of steam to take down Mahomes, but the QB scrambled and evaded his tackle and ran right toward the goalline.
He was met by All-Pro linebacker Devin White, who also chased him in an attempt to bring him down, but Mahomes spun away, stopped right at the line of scrimmage and flipped an improbable ball into the hands of running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the endzone for the score.
During an interview with “The Drive” on Audacy’s 610 Sports Radio Monday, Mahomes said even he was impressed with the throw.
“I saw the film on the plane ride back after. It was way cooler than I thought it was at the moment. I thought it was a little chest pass to him, but when I saw the spin and jump shot throw I made, I even was like, man, this is pretty cool…I always think the plays in the bigger moments are always bigger. It definitely was a cool one,” Mahomes said.
Audio courtesy of “The Drive” on Audacy’s 610 Sports Radio.
Others didn’t have to wait for a replay to know how special Mahomes is on the field.
“You’re not allowed to play football at this level and toy with the other team. He looks like the dad playing in the backyard with all kids and they can’t get him on the ground,” NBC Broadcaster Chris Collinsworth said.
The play quickly went viral on social media with the likes of LeBron James, Ryan Clark, and more chiming in on his wizardry.
“The NFL hasn’t seen anything like Mahomes – I promise you that. You saw it today – he’s the Houdini of our era,” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said. “The guy just finds ways to make plays throughout the game – big-time third down, big-time goal line plays [and] just willing our team to the endzone – willing our team to win. That’s our ultimate leader, man.”
TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 02: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs breaks a tackle from Devin White #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) 
TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 02: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a touchdown pass to Clyde Edwards-Helaire #25 (not pictured) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) 
TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 02: Clyde Edwards-Helaire #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
According to Next Gen Stats, Mahomes scrambled nearly 40 yards before throwing the flip-pass to Edwards-Helaire, making it the fourth touchdown in his career when scrambling over 30 yards. Since 2018, the year he became the starter, no other quarterback in the NFL has more than one.
“No, that one wasn’t in the playbook,” head coach Andy Reid said. “You know, I can’t remember what the play was – I was so excited about that one, but it wasn’t going to him – it wasn’t going to the back, not that way at least.”
The touchdown was one of three Mahomes threw Sunday night to lead the team to a bounce-back victory. Mahomes, the Chiefs, and fans will hope to see more Mahomes Houdini impersonations throughout the rest of the season on their quest to another championship.
“I always remind the coaches, ‘Don’t take it for granted, man.’ That’s special. You enjoy every one of those, man, every one of them. You just don’t see that very often.”
