Travis Kelce is flat-out dominating the league, sitting second among all NFL tight ends with 231 receiving yards through just three games. He’s not just accumulating stats, he’s making plays that are breaking games wide open, including multiple catch-and-run plays that lasted roughly 50 yards. This guy is a machine, averaging 16.5 yards per reception over 14 catches, and he’s already ranked 12th among all league players in receiving yards.
Mahomes’ Scramble And The Brilliant Deep Route
We saw the magic in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos when quarterback Patrick Mahomes caught their defense in a blitz and delivered a 59-yard scamper to Kelce. But it was the opening play of Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins that really showed the next-level stuff. Kelce found a ton of room to run, and Mahomes later admitted it wasn’t exactly by design. “I think the fact that I scrambled out to the right got him open, which it wasn’t necessarily supposed to happen like that,” Mahomes explained post-game. He was supposed to pull up in the pocket, but a defensive line stunt forced him to get outside, and that’s when things started to get wild.
But wait, there’s more. Mahomes also pointed to wide receiver Tyquan Thornton’s deep route as a key factor. “I think what got him open the most is Tyquan running down the field,” Mahomes shared. That speed running downfield made Miami’s high safety get depth. Then, with the run game and play action bringing the first and second levels up, Kelce was suddenly all alone, right there behind everyone. That impact from Thornton’s route gave Kelce the space to gain 48 yards in total on the play.
The Unstoppable Play-Action Game
And what about Mahomes’ throw? Rolling right, avoiding pressure, then ripping a pass back across the field and both hash marks. That’s the kind of throw only elite gunslingers even attempt. Most quarterbacks would be absolutely thwarted by that initial pressure. The Dolphins’ defense naturally flowed away from Kelce; that throw just isn’t factored into a game plan, which is what makes Mahomes so special. This dude is consistently pulling off plays that aren’t on any whiteboard.
Speaking of next-level offense, the Chiefs are absolutely carving teams up with play-action this season. Mahomes completed all 14 of his play-action attempts for 201 yards and a touchdown against Miami. That’s insane! It’s tied for the most attempts without an incompletion by any player in the last 20 seasons. KC ranks first in play-action usage this season at 36%, a huge jump from ranking 13th previously. If they keep finding creative ways to get Kelce the ball, and Mahomes keeps making these ridiculous throws, this Chiefs offense is going to be a nightmare for every D-coordinator they face.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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