Travis Kelce’s lateral was a designed 1000 IQ play – Jason Kelce on Chiefs lead Saints 16-7 in halft | HO

In a tightly contested football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New Orleans Saints, the Chiefs found themselves ahead at halftime, leading 16-7. A major talking point from the first half was a creative and unexpected lateral play executed by Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, sparking discussions on both the brilliance of the Chiefs’ offensive system and Kelce’s natural football instincts. The play raised questions about whether it was a planned move or a spontaneous moment of brilliance, with many fans and commentators intrigued by its effectiveness.

As halftime approached, the Chiefs had already been showcasing their typical high-powered offensive game, albeit with some inefficiencies in the red zone. The Chiefs were up by nine points, and while the scoreboard didn’t fully reflect the control they had over the game, the Chiefs’ offense looked comfortable. Travis Kelce, who was having a standout game with eight receptions for 67 yards, was once again at the heart of the action.

During a critical play, Kelce caught a pass from Patrick Mahomes, and as defenders closed in on him, he lateraled the ball to teammate Samaje Perine. The unexpected move gained additional yardage and kept the Chiefs’ momentum rolling. While many assumed it was a spur-of-the-moment decision by Kelce, some, including his brother Jason Kelce, and even Chiefs coach Andy Reid, hinted that it may have been something the team had rehearsed. “We do it every day in practice,” said Reid with a sly smile when asked about the lateral.

Jason Kelce, commentating on his brother’s performance, acknowledged Travis’s natural playmaking ability. He likened the lateral to moves Travis used to pull off when they were kids playing football in the backyard. “He’s never grown up,” Jason joked, noting how his brother always looks for ways to keep the play alive and do something unexpected. “It’s like he’s out there playing basketball,” Jason said, pointing out how Travis sees the game on a different level, similar to how a point guard might distribute the ball.

Travis Kelce is known for his improvisational skills and high football IQ. Plays like this lateral remind fans and analysts why he is one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the NFL. His ability to make quick decisions and his strong connection with Patrick Mahomes allow the Chiefs to constantly innovate and stay ahead of defenses. As former NFL safety Ryan Clark noted, “It’s like being on the field with Ed Reed when he catches an interception — everyone was always looking for a lateral because they knew the play wasn’t over.”

Kelce’s lateral play embodied the essence of the Chiefs’ offensive creativity. Coach Andy Reid is known for drawing up innovative schemes, and with players like Mahomes and Kelce executing them, it’s no surprise that the Chiefs are one of the most dynamic offenses in the league. Even though Reid was tight-lipped about the specifics of the play, it’s clear that the Chiefs are always looking for ways to maximize their opportunities and keep opposing defenses guessing.

Although the Chiefs were leading at halftime, there was a sense that the game could have been even more lopsided in their favor. They ran 44 offensive plays compared to just 22 for the Saints, effectively controlling the time of possession and dictating the pace of the game. However, their inability to consistently convert red zone opportunities into touchdowns — going just 1-for-4 in red zone attempts — kept the Saints within striking distance.

This has been a recurring issue for the Chiefs this season. Despite dominating in other areas, their struggles in the red zone have prevented them from putting games out of reach early on. Commentators like Bryant McFadden emphasized that the Chiefs need to “become more efficient in the red zone to be able to take care of business and put these teams away.” While the Chiefs were able to move the ball well between the 20s, settling for field goals rather than touchdowns is something they will need to address as the season progresses.

On the other side of the ball, the Saints struggled to get anything going offensively in the first half. They ran only 22 plays, and outside of a deep pass to Rashid Shaheed, the Saints’ offense was largely ineffective. Quarterback Derek Carr couldn’t establish a rhythm, and the team’s star running back, Alvin Kamara, was not as involved in the game as he needed to be. Commentators noted that Kamara, who only had eight touches in the first half, needed to be the focal point of the Saints’ offense if they were going to turn things around in the second half.

The Saints’ offense, led by Carr and designed by offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, has shown flashes of brilliance this season but has lacked consistency. With playmakers like Kamara, Chris Olave, and Shaheed, the Saints have the potential to be explosive, but they have struggled to stay on the field and maintain drives. As Eric Kasimov pointed out, “You can’t win if you don’t play.” With only 22 plays in the first half, the Saints didn’t give themselves enough opportunities to challenge the Chiefs’ defense.

Going into the second half, the Saints needed to make adjustments. They were down by nine points but still within striking distance. Establishing Kamara as the focal point of the offense was a key strategy, as his ability to run the ball and catch passes out of the backfield opens up opportunities for the Saints’ other weapons. Commentators suggested that the Saints should look to get Kamara involved in both the running game and short passing game, using him to set up deep shots to Shaheed or Olave.

For the Chiefs, the focus was on maintaining their dominance while cleaning up mistakes. Penalties and sacks had set them back at times, and despite their control over the game, the inability to finish drives with touchdowns remained a concern. Patrick Mahomes was playing well, and the chemistry between him and Kelce was evident, but they needed to put more points on the board to put the game out of reach.

The first half of this Chiefs-Saints matchup showcased why the Chiefs are such a dangerous team. Travis Kelce’s lateral play highlighted their creativity and willingness to push the boundaries of conventional football. While the Chiefs were in control, their red zone inefficiencies kept the Saints within striking distance. The Saints, on the other hand, needed to make significant adjustments to get back into the game, starting with getting Alvin Kamara more involved.

Ultimately, the game was a testament to the Chiefs’ ability to innovate and adapt, with players like Kelce and Mahomes at the center of their success. If they can clean up their red zone issues, they will continue to be one of the top teams in the league, while the Saints will need to find a way to get their offense on track if they hope to compete against high-powered offenses like Kansas City.