By Matt McMullen – Chiefs.com Reporter
The Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Detroit Lions, 24-23, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday afternoon, but despite the final score, the preseason matchup wasn’t without its memorable moments.
At the top of that list was a behind-the-back pass executed by quarterback Patrick Mahomes late in the first quarter. Facing a 3rd-and-3 in Lions’ territory, Mahomes rolled to his right before zipping a pass behind his back and into the arms of tight end Travis Kelce, who quickly picked up eight yards.
The play, which Mahomes has tinkered with over the last two years at training camp, elicited a roar from the crowd akin to a playoff game amidst what was otherwise just an exhibition matchup.
“We had a play called – it was an RPO play – and Travis was supposed to run an out route,” Mahomes said. “I pulled [the ball from the running back], but [Travis] wasn’t out there, so I was going to run for it, but then I just threw it to him. It wasn’t how it was drawn up, but I’ve always said that it has to happen naturally, I can’t force it.”
Improvisation or not, Head Coach Andy Reid was just happy it worked.
“I’m glad he completed it,” Reid said. “That was a good thing.”
The pass was part of an exciting and productive outing by the Chiefs’ offense, which scored on each of its first three possessions. Mahomes, who led two drives, completed 8-of-14 passes for 93 yards on the day, finding rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy for a 39-yard gain on the Chiefs’ third play from scrimmage.
It was a tremendous example of what the first-round pick can bring to Kansas City’s offense in 2024, and just a bit later, Worthy was back at it with a 22-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Carson Wentz.
“It was super important [to get him involved]. We were [focusing on] that early – trying to get him some routes where he could go out there and win,” Mahomes said. “We wanted him to go out there and get some confidence going.”
Worthy’s touchdown meant that Kansas City scored the first 13 points of the game, but Detroit managed to tally three scoring drives prior to halftime that pulled the Lions within four points at the break.
Detroit proceeded to chip away at the deficit over the final two quarters, and despite an electric, 64-yard touchdown by wide receiver Cornell Powell midway through the fourth quarter, the Lions converted a 43-yard, go-ahead field goal as time expired to take their first lead of the game and escape with the victory.
Regardless, from Mahomes’ behind-the-back pass early in the game to Powell’s touchdown later on, there was still plenty to be excited about on Saturday as the Chiefs continued to prepare for the 2024 campaign. That was true for the defensive and special teams units, too, as Kansas City forced three turnovers over the course of the game.
Linebacker Cam Jones was responsible for the Chiefs’ first takeaway when he jarred the ball loose from Lions’ return man Jalon Calhoun during kickoff coverage. Running back Carson Steele fell on the loose ball, and three plays later, Wentz found Worthy in the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown.
It was one of two fumble recoveries for Kansas City, as defensive end Truman Jones also recovered a fumble late in the game. Cornerback Keith Taylor tallied an interception as well.
Next up, the Chiefs will close out the preseason against the Chicago Bears on Thursday night as the regular-season continues to inch closer by the day.
