Travis Kelce created major deja vu for NFL fans with an in-game lateral that sent Kansas City Chiefs fans wild.
Facing a 3rd-and-22, Patrick Mahomes threw a short pass to Kelce, who helped draw attention to the middle of the field. Kelce then delivered an underhanded side kick to Samaje Perine, who almost picked up the first himself.
The lateral counted this time, a year after Kelce’s overhand throw to Kadarius Toney, which would have been a go-ahead goal against the Buffalo Bills, was called back due to an offside penalty against Toney.
A normal drive first and 10 pushed Kansas City back to 2nd and 34 after a Carson Steele fumble and a holding penalty.
A Mahomes completion to JuJu Smith-Schuster netted 12 yards, setting up the long third down.
Travis Kelce’s lateral from Samaje Perine gained 21 yards and nearly picked up a first down
Kelce has had a slow start to his season, but was involved in the Chiefs offense on Monday
Then came the Kelce lateral, which Troy Aikman, who is on air for ESPN, didn’t think was a designed play.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid did confirm it was an intentional call but did not reveal the name of the play.
“We do it every day in practice, I can’t tell you the name of it,” Reid said.
“He’s out there like he’s playing basketball, he wants to play something,” Jason Kelce said.
Ryan Clark compared Travis’ makeshift nature to Ed Reed, the former Baltimore Ravens defenseman who was famous for lateral interceptions to teammates to keep the game going.
On 4th and 1, Kareem Hunt got the first down.
The drive ended with a 34-yard Harrison Butker field goal, giving the Chiefs a 13-7 lead.