The Chiefs dominated the Saints on Monday Night Football in Week 5, winning 26-13 to enter the bye week as still the only undefeated team in the AFC.
Perhaps the marquee moment of the night came when superstar TE Travis Kelce lateraled the ball across the field to Samaje Perine on a critical third down before halftime. The improvisation worked and Kansas City converted a short fourth down to set up a field goal.
It’s not the first time Kelce has gone off-script in a big moment. After the contest, QB Patrick Mahomes gave a hilarious description of the moment, even comparing Kelce to his daughter, Sterling.
WATCH: Patrick Mahomes Hilariously Compares Travis Kelce to His Daughter
“I mean, I’m shaking my head because I told him before the play that ‘I’m going to throw it to you so that we can get into field goal range,'” Mahomes told reporters. “And he underhand shoveled it across the entire field…It’s like I’m talking to like, Sterling…That’s Travis, man. He’s a special player.”
It was classic Kelce indeed. After a slow start to the season, the future Hall of Famer now has consecutive great games, finishing Monday’s contest with nine catches for 70 yards. His flair for the dramatic has always been one of his best qualities and this was just the latest example.
The play worked so perfectly that many fans watching thought it was planned. As Mahomes confirmed after the game, it was merely Kelce taking advantage of an opportunity when it presented itself.
“As long as he does it and it works, man, no one’s going to say anything,” Mahomes continued. The Chiefs wound up getting a field goal on the drive anyway, Mahomes’ ultimate goal, though the kick became much easier for Harrison Butker thanks to Kelce’s stellar play.
Kansas City now enters its bye week before a Super Bowl rematch with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.