December 16, 2021, SoFi Stadium. When the Kansas City Chiefs were up against the Chargers, Patrick Mahomes did the unthinkable: he threw an interception, one that led straight to Los Angeles taking the lead. But the team did not panic. As Travis Kelce put it, “Hey, let’s show that heart. We believe in you,” only to have Mahomes repay that faith with passes that put the team ahead.

Five years later, as the Chargers visited Arrowhead for another divisional clash, another Mahomes interception nearly turned costly, and fans weren’t happy about what it could have meant for the team. 

The moment came right when Kansas City opened the second quarter, taking a 9-3 lead. After the Chiefs punted following four plays, the Chargers got the possession, which ended in an interception. On the subsequent drive, Mahomes was leading the team deep into Chargers territory. 

Facing third-and-goal at the Los Angeles 2-yard line, Mahomes took the snap from shotgun and attempted a short pass intended for wide receiver Andrew Armstrong. At the same time, as the quarterback took the snap, Kelce was completely open deep in the end zone near the sideline.

However, with pressure closing in, Mahomes dropped back and forced a pass. That was when Chargers cornerback Cam Hart calmly read the play and intercepted the ball in the end zone.

He attempted to explain the moment after the game, stating, “It happened faster than I expected it, so instead of just staying with it and throwing it to the end zone, I tried scrambling and did what you’re not supposed to do. I was trying to throw it away but trying to give him a chance..You just can’t do that, especially with how our defense was playing.” 

While the interception itself was a costly mistake, fans were more concerned about Mahomes overlooking tight end Travis Kelce. After all, he was their best performing receiver this season, even tallying more receiving yards than Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton. In fact, against the Chargers, he even managed 53 yards on just four catches. 

That’s why one fan wrote, “Kelce WIDE A-S OPEN for the TD on that pick, too 😭😭😭 End this game. Everything is awful.”

Fortunately, the defense held firm. Once the Chargers started the drive from their 25-yard line, they could go beyond the 40. The Chiefs defense kept Justin Herbert quiet, with the Chargers’ subsequent punt turning into a touchdown drive for the Chiefs. 

However, another fan pointed to a different problem. “You’d think Patrick would learn to stop throwing bone-headed, terrible, backbreaking INT’s in the redzone at some point but I guess not. Worst part of it is Kelce was wide open if he just stood in the pocket an extra second,” one fan wrote.

We saw some effect of what the fan spoke last year. When the offense wasn’t firing on all cylinders, Mahomes was throwing interceptions regularly, with 11 in a year when he only played 14 games. He was only seven spots behind league leader in interceptions, Geno Smith. 

Another added, “Then almost equally puzzling INT by Mahomes, who had Kelce break open all alone in left corner of end zone but then drifted right and essentially threw up for grabs,” another fan criticized. 

Why this criticism matters also has to do with the team’s current standing.  The Chiefs returned from their bye week with plenty of reasons to be worried about. Despite the team’s perfect record, two receivers were sitting on the bench. And sure, while they were going up against a winless divisional rival at the Arrowhead, they had Kelce as a leading receiver, in his 14th year in the league.

You would think that Mahomes would look to Kelce as an option in every single play, but that didn’t look like it was the case. We’ve already seen them do it against the same opponent, when the duo connected for three touchdowns back in 2022. That’s why one fan had a suggestion: “This wouldn’t happen if you’d call more plays on kelce you old mormon, also pat…”

Meanwhile, another fan joked, writing, “Mahomes hates throwing to Travis Kelce for some reason 😂😂.”

If the team wants to keep its unbeaten streak alive and win another Super Bowl, it will be important for Mahomes to keep supplying his trusted veterans with the passes they need. After all, even though the Chiefs won the game 22-6, Mahomes only managed 272 passing yards without a passing touchdown.