Patrick Mahomes Speaks Out on Travis Kelce's Fumbled Catch That Led to Chiefs' 0-2 Start to Season
Patrick Mahomes; Travis Kelce.
Patrick Mahomes said the fumbled catch thrown to Travis Kelce should have been "more on his body" after their loss to the Eagles
Mahomes took blame for having thrown the ball to Kelce "a tad too early" during the fourth quarter play
The quarterback concluded, "It was just unfortunate the ball bounced up in the air and went right to" the Eagles defender
Patrick Mahomes called Travis Kelce's fumbled catch in the fourth quarter of their loss to the Eagles an "unfortunate" mistake.
After the Kansas City Chiefs accepted their second defeat of the season on Sunday, Sept. 14, leading to their first 0-2 start since 2014, Mahomes spoke to reporters about Kelce's costly blunder that allowed Philadelphia to go up 20-10.
Mahomes said the Chiefs "got the defense that we wanted" but took the blame for the throw coming "a tad too early" to Kelce, allowing the Eagles' rookie safety Andrew Mukuba to gain possession. "Just trying to put it on his body low before that hole player got there. I think if I can put it more on his body, and not so far out in front of him, then he can catch it, take the hit, and get in the end zone."
Mahomes said the catch should have been "low" and "just more on his body," explaining, "You know, whenever you’re in those tight quarters like that, you wanna get it to him, especially a bigger guy, more on his body where he can catch it and brace for that contact."
Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs stiff arms Cooper DeJean #33 of the Philadelphia Eagles
Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs stiff arms Cooper DeJean #33 of the Philadelphia Eagles
The quarterback said the team "knew the hold player would be looking for [Kelce]," noting, "that's one of our big targets down there in the red zone,"
Mahomes concluded, "It was just unfortunate the ball bounced up in the air and went right to [Mukuba]."
The Chiefs hosted the Philadelphia Eagles for a Super Bowl rematch on Sunday, but ultimately fell to the reigning champs 17-20 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kelce appeared frustrated in the second quarter when he was seen screaming on the sidelines and slamming his helmet on the field. The tight end seemingly said, "I'm sick of this s---!"
Travis Kelce Screams on the Sidelines and Throws His Helmet During Tense Super Bowl Rematch
Travis Kelce Screams on the Sidelines and Throws His Helmet During Tense Super Bowl Rematch
After the catch from Mahomes was intercepted by the Eagles' defense in the fourth, Kelce was seen hanging his head and pacing the sidelines.
For the Eagles, they came into the game knowing it would be a tough matchup, running back Saquon Barkley said in his postgame interview. “I always have fun going against this team. We knew it was going to be a dog fight," he told Fox Sports' Tom Rinaldi.
The win, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, makes Hurts just the second quarterback to beat Mahomes in three straight games, according to NBC's John Clark. The only other quarterback to do so is Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow.