Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs picked the fallacious time to interrupt their streak of not turning the ball over.
After conceding two in a Week 11 defeat to the Buffalo Payments in Week 11, head coach Andy Reid’s workforce went on a file eight-game run with out giving up the rock.
However the 501-play streak was ended at a vital second within the AFC Championship showdown in opposition to the Payments.
Seeking to lengthen a 7-3 lead in plus territory on the finish of the primary quarter, Mahomes fumbled on a faux handoff to Isiah Pacheco.
The Chiefs misplaced possession and Josh Allen led Buffalo down the sphere to make it 10-7.
Initially, it regarded just like the celebrity quarterback was responsible in a uncommon error.
However former teammate Mitchell Schwartz had one other concept – pointing the finger at working again Pacheco’s gloves.
“Nicely that’s unlucky,” the retired All-Professional sort out posted on X.
“Don’t know sufficient about mesh factors to precisely say something however looks like Pacheco’s gloves had been a bit of too sticky there and caught the ball on the very finish as Pat was pulling it. Bizarre and unlucky play.”
Followers weren’t positive in regards to the clarification, with many laying the blame on Mahomes.
“Mahomes saved the ball in Pacheco’s abdomen too lengthy. That is on the QB,” wrote one.
“Patrick Mahomes Fraud Watch,” added a second.
“I’m shocked they didn’t rule him down,” mentioned a 3rd in reference to conspiracy theories about referees serving to the Chiefs.
Turnovers have proved decisive on this yr’s playoffs.
All 4 groups who superior from the Divisional Spherical didn’t surrender the ball as soon as.
The Washington Commanders had been a type of victors however suffered a nightmare in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Giving up the ball 4 occasions led to a file 55-23 defeat to spotlight how rapidly a workforce will be derailed.
Mahomes dusted himself off and placed on a present within the second quarter, inspiring the Chiefs right into a 21-10 lead.
Going into the sport, he had crushed Payments QB Allen thrice in a row within the postseason – yet another could be an NFL file.
It was a file he clinched as an exhilarating back-and-forth second half noticed Mahomes run in two touchdowns, and the Chiefs protection give you a few big stops on fourth down.
A 32-29 victory means one other AFC title for Andy Reid and Mahomes who now have 5 of them, all coming within the final six seasons.
And for the second time in three years they are going to face the Philadelphia Eagles for the Lombardi Trophy – the Chiefs profitable 38-35 in Arizona in February 2023.