Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, claims one report concerning Sunday’s interception against the
Green Bay Packers is not factual.
Following the Packers’ 27-19 victory over the Chiefs, Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon stated in the locker room
that he knew what route combination was coming due to Mahomes touching his knee before the snap.
During his news conference with reporters on Wednesday, Mahomes contradicted that claim.
“I saw he said that: He saw the thing and knew the play,” Mahomes was quoted as saying. “But it’s the first time I’ve
checked to that play in my history of playing for the Kansas City Chiefs.”
It was a significant moment on Sunday. The Chiefs were trailing by five in the fourth quarter with first-and-10 at the
Packers’ 49 when Mahomes threw the interception over receiver Skyy Moore and into Nixon’s hands.
According to the rbsdm.com model, turnover had the greatest impact on the game in terms of both expected points
added (Chiefs lost four expected points) and win probability added (Chiefs’ projected odds of winning went from 41%
to 21%).
Nixon’s read was also critical. Mahomes recognized man coverage pre-snap, and with two receivers on the right side,
he called for a rub route in which receiver Rashee Rice attempted to screen Moore’s defender, freeing him up for an
outside route.
A play that should have succeeded against man coverage failed due to Nixon’s path. He ignored the first part of
Moore’s route and beat him to the ball on the sideline, anticipating the pass to go there.
“We were watching mannerism tape earlier in the week, and (Mahomes) tapped his knee, and they put two
(receivers) off the ball,” Nixon told Packers.com and others. “I am like, ‘Oh, I’ve seen this before.'” “I knew he’d run
it, and he did.”
Mahomes disputed Nixon’s allegation Wednesday while still praising him for his individual efforts.
“He clearly noticed a signal. Mahomes remarked, “He did an excellent job and made a game-changing play.” “But
just try to be more subtle, I guess, for myself to try to get us to the right spot where we can make a play happen.”
