Patrick Mahomes Throws Tantrum on Sideline as Chiefs Lose Second Straight Game
Sean McDermott thought for a moment that a difficult week for himself and the Buffalo Bills would end with one last gut punch, an audacious touchdown pass by the Kansas City Chiefs with just over a minute left to steal a win Sunday.
Then the Bills’ coach saw the yellow flag on the field.
The pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce, which the tight end lateraled across the field to receiver Kadarius Toney for a 49-yard score, was called back by an offside penalty on none other than Toney himself.
Play was called back but can’t believe Kelce tried this 😮
📺: #BUFvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/pWMED8SAQa pic.twitter.com/LREwwhaQ1N— NFL (@NFL) December 11, 2023
And when the Bills proceeded to hold the Chiefs on downs, they escaped from Arrowhead Stadium with a heart-stopping 20-17 victory.
“As the play unfolded,” McDermott said, “Kelce got wide open. The play after he caught the ball, I’ve never seen a play like that in the NFL. But I saw the referees signaling that direction. I didn’t know if it was a pick or what. It turned out to be offside.”
Rarely is offside called on an offensive player, but replays showed that Toney’s foot was well across the line of scrimmage.
All 22 angle of the Kelce lateral/Toney offside play. Doesn’t appear Toney once checks with the sideline judge on his side from this.
Also amazing job still from Kelce finding him in space. pic.twitter.com/UyiVABuBSp
— Shaun Newkirk (@Shauncore) December 11, 2023
That didn’t make the call sit any better with Mahomes, who chased after three different officials for an explanation.
Patrick Mahomes was NOT happy on the sideline pic.twitter.com/kFdVMF7PrM
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) December 11, 2023
WATCH! Spoiled rotten crybaby Patrick Mahomes throws a temper tantrum like a two year old after a HUMILIATING loss to the Bills for him and Mr Pfizer! 😂
Beautiful to watch! pic.twitter.com/aRtrKXrCoV
— Chris Nelson 🇺🇸 🏝 (@ReOpenChris) December 11, 2023
Or with Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who was still incensed after walking out of the locker room afterward.
“It’s a bit embarrassing for the National Football League for that to take place,” Reid said.
Andy Reid:
“Very disappointed it ended the way it did… Normally I get a warning before something like that happens in a big game. A bit embarrassing in the NFL for that to take place… I didn’t have a protractor out there, but it’s a bit embarrassing.” #ChiefsKingdom @KCTV5 pic.twitter.com/BHQBOzKdPf— Jared Koller (@JaredKCTV5) December 11, 2023
It was the second straight week the Chiefs (8-5) were dealing with questionable officiating. Last week in Green Bay, they were left wondering why pass interference was not called on a pass intended for Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the closing minutes of that game.
“Loss for words, man,” Mahomes said. “To end another game and we’re talking about referees, it’s bad for the NFL.”
Patrick Mahomes was still upset about the offside call meeting with Josh Allen after the game. #Billsmafia pic.twitter.com/6TYGJ1xnS9
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) December 11, 2023
It was good for the Bills (7-6), though, and they sure needed something positive to happen.
Their week began with questions swirling around pass rusher Von Miller, who turned himself in to police during their bye and is facing a charge of third-degree felony assault of a pregnant woman.
And the week ended with criticism aimed at McDermott, who in 2019 had used the hijackers from Sept. 11, 2001, in a team meeting to stress the importance of communication, and was left apologizing again — just as he did after realizing how his mistake four years ago.
“Just so thankful. I’m grateful for so many things,” McDermott said. “So many people that reached out. Andy Reid, many of their staff after the game. I know quite a few of the coaches on their staff. They’re a class act. I appreciate that.”
The Bills’ Josh Allen threw for 233 yards with touchdowns running and throwing, though he also threw an interception for the ninth consecutive game. James Cook had 58 yards rushing and caught five passes for 83 yards and a score.
The Bills had been 2-6 in games decided by six points or fewer, and they had lost a lead in the final two minutes in three losses.
“It wasn’t the prettiest of wins. We all know that,” Allen said. “But the defense played fantastic.”
Mahomes finished with 271 yards passing and a touchdown with an interception, and Rashee Rice had seven catches for 72 yards and the score. But it wasn’t enough to keep the Chiefs from losing for the fourth time in six games.
“It’s a gut check,” Chiefs guard Trey Smith said. “You got to dig down deep. We still have games left to play.”
The Chiefs continued a recent track record of lousy starts on Sunday. Mahomes was intercepted by A.J. Epenesa on their first series, they punted on each of their next three, and it wasn’t until the closing minutes of the first half that Kansas City was able to sustain a drive that ended with Jerick McKinnon’s touchdown run.
By that point, the Bills had already reached the end zone twice.
The first touchdown came when Cook was unchecked coming out of the backfield, caught a flick from Allen and breezed 25 yards for the score. The second came at the end of a 73-yard drive, when Allen kept the ball over the right side and was stood up at the Kansas City 4, only for the entire Bills offense to gather behind him and shove into the end zone.
If the Eagles have the “brotherly shove”/“tush push,” the Bills offered their “team trample.”
JOSH ALLEN
📺: #BUFvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/pWMED8SAQa pic.twitter.com/bhaVIfqCNL— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2023
Buffalo added a field goal out of halftime, but the momentum quickly tilted Kansas City’s way. Mahomes led a nine-play, 75-yard march that ended with Rice’s touchdown catch, then the Chiefs’ defense forced back-to-back punts before another drive ended with Harrison Butker’s tying field goal with 11 1/2 minutes to go.
The Bills had one last scoring drive in them, which ended with Tyler Bass’ go-ahead field goal with 1:54 left in the game.
The Chiefs thought they did, too, until they saw a penalty flag on the field.
“I’ve played seven years in the National Football League and never had offensive offside called,” Mahomes said, still seething in his postgame news conference. “You want until a minute left to make a call like that?”
“It’s tough to swallow, and to take away greatness like that….” -Patrick Mahomes on the offsides call pic.twitter.com/AGpOLaDQj7
— McKenzie Nelson (@McKenzieMNelson) December 11, 2023
INJURIES
Buffalo lost Epenesa in the first quarter, shortly after he had batted a pass into the air and picked it off. … FS Micah Hyde left late in the first half with a stinger. He was replaced by Taylor Rapp in the second half.
Kansas City RB Isiah Pacheco (shoulder), LT Donovan Smith (neck) and LB Drue Tranquill (concussion) were inactive.
UP NEXT
Buffalo plays Dallas next Sunday.
Kansas City visits New England next Sunday.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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