The Denver Broncos might be floundering, but they’re still a division rival of the Kansas City Chiefs. They’re still someone the Chiefs (generally) take seriously. They’re still someone the Chiefs feel the need to keep the foot on the gas pedal to finish off.
That’s why when a Kansas City possession halfway through the second quarter stalled, the Chiefs tried for a fake field goal, quarterback sneak. Okay, sure. Except there was one key person missing: Patrick Mahomes.
You might have been wondering why Kansas City didn’t just have Mahomes do a straight QB sneak. That would’ve been the normal play to call in that situation for almost any other team in the league. But they have an excellent reason for not throwing their face of the franchise, best-player-in-football into short-yardage scrums:
The fake FG comes up short!#DENvsKC on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/U9rA3YdBnZ pic.twitter.com/5nGoCs9iiB— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2023
Ever since he dislocated his kneecap on a sneak during a Thursday night battle with the Broncos, ironically, four years ago, the Chiefs have stopped using Mahomes on such plays. They simply do not believe it is worth the risk of his injury as opposed to trying a tried and true conversion strategy.
For what it’s worth, Mahomes has expressed he wants them back in Kansas City’s playbook, even though Andy Reid has stopped calling them.
“I’ll always want to because I always say that I haven’t got stopped yet,” Mahomes said. “Because even the one that my knee I got hurt on, I still got the first down. But I’m pretty sure he’s not going to let me do it unless it’s like for the Super Bowl, and so I might have to call my own number in the Super Bowl if we get there.”
The Chiefs have a delicate balance to play. Risk injury for Mahomes or risk not converting fourth downs. So far, with two Super Bowl titles in four years, it hasn’t seemed like they’ve had to change their strategy much.
Here's how Twitter reacted to the fake field goal, quarterback sneak
I respect a fake field goal and all but uh if I have Mahomes, Kelce, & friends + a genius offensive staff.. probably leaving the offense out there https://t.co/EDDLQD24oT
— Liam (@Blutman27) October 13, 2023
The @Chiefs put together the best trick plays and never successfully execute them. https://t.co/Woy0uPFNCn
— GirlNextDoor (@GirlNextDoor43) October 13, 2023
You have the greatest QB of his generation and don’t put the ball in his hands when you need two yards. I don’t like to question Andy Reid but.. https://t.co/6Vrd1WDYMr
— Adrian Ellenberger (@AdrianGolfs) October 13, 2023
Patrick Mahomes is your QB and Travis Kelce is your TE. They've come up so big for you. What's this!? https://t.co/qJkty2pBPG
— Matt Warren (@MattRichWarren) October 13, 2023
Let’s try the Tush Push on a fake field goal, where the opposing defense is right at the line to defend it, with your long snapper as the lead blocker?
Prime time football brings out the worst play calls 🤦🏽♂️ https://t.co/ahDNOiPay3
— Richard (@richardhtx) October 13, 2023
Andy Reid out coaching himself tonight https://t.co/Ij9XD9cXqn
— Gregg Steiner (@gggsteiner) October 13, 2023
Bears fans might be right about Matt Nagy 😔 https://t.co/z9d9Io6hzE
— Sparty Lion (@SpartanLion98) October 13, 2023
No way you got the best QB in the league and you went for a FG tush push https://t.co/zXz1RRRHr5
— MK (@allnmk) October 13, 2023
You have Mahomes and Kelce and instead of leaving them on the field to go for it, YOU DO A FAKE!!! https://t.co/BNQpgeBUtU
— Alex Contreras (@AllexContreras) October 13, 2023
