Kansas City Chiefs Win Super Bowl with Familiar Play from Last Year’s Victory
The Kansas City Chiefs emerged victorious in the Super Bowl on Sunday, executing a play that bore a striking resemblance to a pair of scoring plays from their previous year’s Super Bowl win against the Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach Andy Reid revealed in a postgame interview with NBC’s Peter King that the play that sealed their victory over the San Francisco 49ers was none other than the familiar “Tom and Jerry” play.
A Familiar Play
“We call it Tom and Jerry,” Reid explained. “It involves a couple people.” The play involved quarterback Patrick Mahomes connecting with Mecole Hardman for a walk-off touchdown in overtime. The Chiefs had used a similar play during their Super Bowl triumph over the Eagles last season, resulting in two touchdowns.
Pre-Snap Motion
The key element of the play is Hardman’s pre-snap motion, affectionately referred to as “corn dog.” This motion involves a receiver positioned wide moving inside before turning back towards the sideline at the last moment, aiming to deceive the defender in coverage. The Chiefs successfully utilized this motion in their previous Super Bowl victory against the Eagles, with Kadarius Toney baiting cornerback Darius Slay into running inside, leaving him wide open on the sideline for a crucial touchdown.
Surprising Success
In Sunday’s game, both 49ers defenders Logan Ryan and Charvarius Ward were caught off guard by Hardman’s motion. They leaned inside when Hardman started his motion, allowing him to break free and secure the game-winning touchdown. Reid admitted that they had implemented the familiar motion as a decoy, but when Hardman broke open, Mahomes knew exactly where to look.
The Anatomy of the Play
The full name of the play is Tiger 12, Tom & Jerry right, Gun trips, right bunch, F shuttle. Reid further explained the play to King, stating that the “12” element designates Hardman, who wears No. 12. The play involves two tight ends, one running back, and a specific formation. Reid humorously added, “And that gives you a little corn dog with some mustard and ketchup.”
The Difficult Spot for the 49ers
Reid acknowledged the challenging situation the play put the 49ers in, stating, “It’s hard. You’ve got to kind of pick what you’re gonna work on, what part you’re gonna cover.” He praised the 49ers’ defense but emphasized that the play worked out in their favor.
Mahomes’ Heroic Run
Reid also discussed another crucial play in overtime, where Mahomes converted a fourth-and-1 run with an 8-yard carry. He revealed that offensive coordinator Matt Nagy had drawn up the play, and Mahomes was eager to execute it with the Super Bowl on the line. Mahomes had multiple options on the play, with Travis Kelce being the first option if the 49ers were in man coverage. Mahomes ultimately chose to run the ball himself, saving the Super Bowl for the Chiefs.
Back-to-Back Super Bowl Victories
Andy Reid’s strategic schemes and innovative plays have undoubtedly played a significant role in the Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl victories. The “Tom and Jerry” play, with its deceptive pre-snap motion and unexpected success, exemplifies Reid’s ability to outsmart opponents and create game-changing moments.
In conclusion, the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl win showcased their ability to execute familiar plays from their previous victories. Andy Reid’s creativity and strategic prowess have solidified his status as one of the NFL’s top coaches. With their recent success, the Chiefs have firmly established themselves as a dominant force in the league.
