The Kansas City Chiefs barely squeaked by the New York Jets on Sunday night, but it was not without some controversy.
On a third-and-20 at the Jets 40-yard line, Patrick Mahomes threw a pass intended for Marques Valdez-Scantling, only for it to be intercepted. However, the play was called back because Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner was penalized for defensive holding on Valdez-Scantling.
Gardner, Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Jets fans were livid over the call, but Mahomes actually threw the ball that direction knowing the flag was going to be thrown.
“Yeah I was looking at him and at end of the day you get your hands around a guys neck 15 yards down field, you’re gonna get called for something,” Mahomes told 610 Sports Radio’s “The Drive” on Monday. “Once I saw [Gardner] grab him I threw it up there giving Marques a chance knowing the flag was going to come.
“You could see it…I understand people want to let teams play but you can’t get your hands around guys’ necks like that.”
The penalty gave the Chiefs another first down with 4:19 remaining and Kansas City continued to run out the clock and move the chains, ultimately winning the game without ever giving the ball back to the Jets.
The game was much closer than many predicted, with the Jets falling into an early 17-0 lead only to come back and tie the game in the fourth quarter.
While the Chiefs prevailed, Mahomes recognized there is more work to be done, particularly with the offense.
“We gotta clean things up, starting with me and moving throughout the entire offense,” he said. “I feel like we’re still doing a lot of great things, but at same time some little things here and there [are] killing drives. … had some big games and not so big games. [We have] to find that rhythm.”