Baltimore Ravens DB Earl Thomas said he would eliminate all the big plays from the Kansas City Chiefs offense. He didn’t make good on his promise.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and rookie WR Mecole Hardman connected on an 83-yard touchdown pass. There was a bust in the defensive coverage and no defender carried with Hardman through the course of his route. Thomas was nowhere to be found as the centerfield free safety. Once Hardman caught the pass he turned on the jets and no defender came close to catching up with him.
Not a bad play for the second NFL touchdown grab of Hardman’s career. Take a look:
Last week, we saw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Hardman called back on a hold. It was only a matter of time before he broke out and had this type of explosive play for the Chiefs.
His speed has been showing up on sweeps and even in the short passing game, but he can also take the top off of an opposing defense just like Tyreek Hill can. When they both see the field together in the coming weeks it’s going to present a big problem for opposing defenses. If the opponents have a centerfield safety and both receivers are playing on the perimeter, you better be able to lock down one of those players in man coverage, otherwise, the safety will be faced with an impossible decision.
