Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes' description of improbable pass to RB Samaje Perine makes it even funnier than it already was

Kansas City Chiefs RB Samaje Perine is quickly becoming one of Patrick Mahomes' best collaborators on unplanned and improvised plays. There's no greater display of that than during the opening quarter of the 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. With no one open on the initially drawn-up play, facing third-and-11 with just under six […]

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes flips a pass to RB Samaje Perine.
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Kansas City Chiefs RB Samaje Perine is quickly becoming one of Patrick Mahomes' best collaborators on unplanned and improvised plays. 

There's no greater display of that than during the opening quarter of the 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. With no one open on the initially drawn-up play, facing third-and-11 with just under six minutes to go in the first quarter, Mahomes got to doing what he does best. He improvised and captured some of his patented magic with an improbable pass to Perine. 

Mahomes flipped the ball when Perine was still lying flat on his back after being taken to the ground by LB Patrick Queen, which realistically should have been an illegal contact penalty. There was a separate holding penalty on the play that was ultimately declined. Mahomes, of course, had the foresight to flip the ball to Perine just at the right time. Perine popped up off the turf and caught the ball for a 14-yard gain in the most miraculous way. Check it out:

This play almost didn't happen this way, as Mahomes revealed he initially planned to run and try to pick up the first down himself. He did have a bit of a revelation, though. And it all worked out in the Chiefs' favor in the end. 

"I was running," Mahomes told reporters. "I get in that position sometimes where I fake that pitch. He got thrown down. I was going to run. I saw him. I was like, 'If I can just pitch it to him, if he gets up, it will be right to him.' Pretty funny. He made a heck of a play, being on your back, coming around, making that catch. He's been a great player for us the entire year. Pass protecting, running the football, catching the football. He's been a big addition to this offense."

"Pretty funny" might be the understatement of the year. This is a hilarious play that few teams could execute if they drew it up, and it's extremely disheartening for a defense. He was going to fake the pitch, but when the linebacker didn't bite on it, he flipped the ball to Perine. It was essentially a 14-yard hail mary where everything needed to go right for it to have a chance.

This angle of the play shows that Mahomes doesn't even release the ball with Perine looking at him. It's almost miraculous that he was able to pop up and immediately locate the ball in the air. 

This play encapsulates how it truly feels like everything is coming together at the right time for Kansas City. The team is coming off a three-game undefeated stretch against AFC playoff teams. Even when teams defend everything right, the Chiefs' offense can still find a way to deliver a knockout punch that leaves an opponent seeing stars. 

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