Patrick Mahomes put himself at the center of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ latest setback, taking full responsibility for a goal-line interception intended for Travis Kelce during Sunday’s 20-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The turnover, early in the fourth quarter, helped drop the Chiefs to 0-2 for the first time since 2014, when the quarterback fired a low pass toward Kelce, who had gained inside leverage against safety Reed Blankenship.
Down by three and threatening from Philadelphia’s six-yard line, the pass seemed to be in easy catching range for tight end, but he failed to make the play stick as the ball deflected upward and into the arms of Andrew Mukuba.
The Eagles immediately turned the mistake into points, draining over five minutes with a touchdown drive that gave them a two-score lead in a situation that should have seen Kansas City take the lead.
With criticism heading in Kelce’s direction for what seemed like a routine catch, Mahomes defended his longtime teammate after the game, saying the interception was a quarterback error.
“We got the defense that we wanted,” Mahomes said. “We expected them to play that [Cover] zero, zero with the hole player, the safety.
“I just threw it a tad too early. Just trying to put it on his body low before that hole player got there.
“I think if I can put it more on his body, and not so far out in front of him, then he can catch it, take the hit, and get in the end zone.”
Mahomes‘ words underscored two themes: his accountability for the error and his trust in Kelce, who despite being nearly 36 years old remains Kansas City’s most important receiver.
Patrick continued to break down the play too, stressing exactly what he was looking to do as he aimed to get his team back into the contest in their Super Bowl LIX rematch.
“You wanna put it low, just more on his body,” Mahomes added. “Whenever you’re in those tight quarters like that you wanna give it to them, especially a bigger guy, more on his body where he can catch it [and] brace for that contact.
“We knew the hole player would be looking for him … he was breaking to kind of make a hit and it was just unfortunate the ball bounced up in the air and went right to him.”
Who do the Chiefs play next?
The Kansas City Chiefs face the New York Giants in Week 3 on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 20:20 ET/17:20 PT at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The primetime matchup will be broadcast nationally in the U.S. on NBC and sees the Chiefs aim to avoid going 0-3 to start a season for the first time since 2011 – prior to Andy Reid’s tenure.
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