The Kansas City Chiefs clinched a wild 33-30 overtime victory against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football, thanks to a huge play straight out of their legendary playbook. Facing a pivotal third-and-12 in overtime, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes found receiver Tyquan Thornton for a clutch 30-yard reception that set up the game-winning score. It was the kind of play that demands attention, and Thornton himself later dropped a bombshell about its origin.
Thornton Channels a Legend With the “Wasp”
After the game, Thornton grinned and confirmed to The Athletic’s Jesse Newell that he ran the exact same “Wasp” route that former Chiefs wideout Tyreek Hill famously used in the team’s Super Bowl LIV win against the San Francisco 49ers. Can you believe that? A direct callback to a championship-winning play! “Yeah, it’s ‘Wasp.’ You can see it. Go look on Madden,” Thornton quipped. “You can see that thing on Madden, for sure.” That route, now etched in Chiefs history, saw Hill break free for a 44-yard gain on a third-and-15 play in the fourth quarter of that Super Bowl, helping to secure a 31-20 comeback victory. To see Thornton perfectly execute such a storied play in an overtime thriller? That’s just electric.
A Painful Play, a Perfect Performance
Thornton didn’t just run the route; he owned it. He held onto the catch despite taking a massive hit from Colts safety Hunter Wohler, showing some serious grit. “I feel like it hurts less once you make the play,” Thornton said, acknowledging the impact. “If you don’t make the play, then you know it’s gonna hurt even more.” That’s the mindset of a player who knows what’s on the line every single down. Overall, Thornton finished the overtime victory with four catches for 86 yards, including another key third-down conversion earlier in regulation. Head coach Andy Reid was clearly impressed, showering praise on his receiver. “Those were two tough catches with people all over him,” Reid remarked. “He did that for us last year at times, and here he steps up. Those are big plays.” When Andy Reid is singing your praises for stepping up, you know you’re doing something right.
Now 2-0, the Chiefs have got some serious momentum heading into Week 3. They will try to keep that train rolling when they face the Miami Dolphins, who are sitting at 0-2, in what promises to be another exciting matchup. Can Thornton continue to make “big plays” and maybe even pull another “Wasp” out of the bag? We’ll be watching!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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