Travis Kelce explains possible reason Buffalo Bills faked punt, ran Damar Hamlin
With 12:54 left in the fourth quarter while trailing 27-24, the Buffalo Bills were fourth and five from their own 30-yard line. Instead of punting it and relying on their defense to get a massive stop, the Bills took fate into their own hands.
The team directly snapped the ball to defensive back Damar Hamlin and charged toward the first-down marker. They came up short, and the Kansas City Chiefs ultimately walked away with a 27-24 victory.
During his podcast “New Heights,” Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce weighed in on the Bills’ controversial decision.
“Initially, I’m like, ‘What in the f–k are they doing?'” Kelce said. “Fourth-and-five in your own territory at that point in the game, that’s not your fake call right there, especially in the playoffs where everything is on the line.
“I think there had to have been a check,” Kelce said. “Our punt return team only had 10 guys out on the field. With that being said, I think some teams and some coaches might have an automatic audible. If they’re missing a guy, take advantage of that. Go to whatever side has the least amount of guys, and just run an outside sweep and hope your guys can get a body on a body.”
While Travis Kelce was understandably happy to see Buffalo’s bold attempt fall flat, Jason Kelce gave his unbiased perspective on the decision.
“If they were gonna go with the typical fake, you’d like to see them throw it,” Jason Kelce said. “But, even then, you’d rather put Josh [Allen] out there. If you’re gonna throw the ball, just have Josh Allen out there, right? He’s your best bet.”
Travis Kelce makes history in the win
Travis Kelce isn’t complaining. In the win, the standout tight end tallied five receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns. The performance was historic. With a touchdown connection early in the third quarter, Patrick Mahomes and Kelce became the league’s career leader in playoff touchdowns (16) between a quarterback and receiver.
Mahomes and Kelce surpassed Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, who scored 15 touchdowns in their playoff appearances together. Former 49ers quarterback Joe Montana and receiver Jerry Rice rank third on the list with 12.
On Sunday, Mahomes and Kelce will look to add to their record. The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens will square off at 3 p.m. ET in the AFC Championship. The winner will advance to the Super Bowl. The game will be broadcast on CBS.