Patrick Mahomes described his improbable pass to Samaje Perine by saying it was a “fluke.” He admitted that the throw wasn’t exactly planned, but rather a lucky moment. Mahomes humorously explained that the ball got tipped by a defender, sending it in an unexpected direction, which ended up landing perfectly in Perine’s hands. He added that while it wasn’t a part of the game plan, it was a fun play and a “fluke” that worked out in their favor.
The best example of Mahomes’ ability to make magic happen came in the opening quarter of the Chiefs’ 29-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. With the original play breaking down and no one open on third-and-11, with just under six minutes left in the first quarter, Mahomes did what he does best. He improvised and delivered one of his signature, improbable passes to Samaje Perine.
Mahomes tossed the ball to Perine while he was still lying flat on his back after being tackled by linebacker Patrick Queen, a moment that realistically could have drawn an illegal contact penalty. There was also a separate holding penalty on the play, but it was declined. As always, Mahomes had the quick thinking to flip the ball to Perine at the perfect moment. Perine then sprang to his feet and snagged the pass for an improbable 14-yard gain. It was a jaw-dropping play—check it out!
The Patrick Mahomes injury becomes a major x-factor in the Steelers-Chiefs game, particularly highlighted by his incredible play with Samaje Perine. On a third-and-11, with Perine being brought down by linebacker Patrick Queen, Mahomes improvised when his initial plan to run for the first down changed in the blink of an eye. Despite Perine being flat on his back, Mahomes had the quick thinking to flip the ball to him at the perfect moment, resulting in a miraculous 14-yard gain. Mahomes later admitted that he had originally intended to run but had a realization to pitch the ball to Perine, trusting he could make a play. “It was pretty funny,” Mahomes said, praising Perine for his skill in making the catch while lying on his back. “He’s been a great player for us all year—pass protecting, running, catching. A big addition to this offense.” Mahomes’ ability to adapt and pull off such plays shows just how crucial his health is to the Chiefs’ success.
“Pretty funny” might be the understatement of the year. This play is downright hilarious and one of those rare moments that few teams could pull off, even if they planned it. Mahomes initially intended to fake a pitch, but when the linebacker didn’t bite, he made the split-second decision to flip the ball to Perine. It was essentially a 14-yard Hail Mary, where every detail had to fall perfectly into place for it to even stand a chance.
From this angle, it’s clear that Mahomes didn’t even release the ball with Perine looking at him. It’s almost miraculous that Perine managed to pop up off the turf and instantly track the ball in the air. The whole sequence is a testament to Mahomes’ vision and Perine’s awareness, making it an unforgettable play.
This play perfectly captures how everything seems to be clicking for Kansas City at just the right time. The Chiefs are riding a three-game winning streak against AFC playoff contenders, showing they’re hitting their stride. Even when opposing defenses do everything right, the Chiefs’ offense has the ability to deliver a knockout punch, leaving their opponents stunned and struggling to recover. It’s a reminder that with Mahomes at the helm, anything is possible, no matter how impossible it seems.
