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Patrick Mahomes claims he was responsible for Travis Kelce's costly drop in the Chiefs' defeat to the Eagles after releasing the ball 'a tad too early' at Arrowhead.
Kelce suffered disaster in the fourth quarter of their Super Bowl rematch against Philadelphia, with the tight end dropping a potential touchdown catch into the hands of an Eagles defender for an interception early in the fourth quarter.
It proved a gut-wrenching moment for Kansas City, who slumped to a 20-17 loss on their own turf to go 0-2 for the first time in the Mahomes era.
Yet despite Kelce's error dominating headlines, the Chiefs quarterback admits his throw was to blame for the interception, admitting he should have put it 'more on his body'.
'I just threw it a tad too early,' Mahomes said after the game. 'Just trying to put it on his body low before that hole player got there.
'I think if I can put it more on his body, and not so far out in front of him, then he can catch it, take the hit, and get in the end zone.'
Patrick Mahomes claims he was responsible for Travis Kelce's costly drop against the Eagles
Kelce suffered disaster after his dropped catch in the fourth quarter turned into an interception
He then continued: 'You wanna put it low, just more on his body. Whenever you're in those tight quarters like that you wanna give it to them, especially a bigger guy, more on his body where he can catch it [and] brace for that contact.
'We knew the hole player would be looking for him. He was breaking to kind of make a hit and it was just unfortunate the ball bounced up in the air and went right to him.'
Mahomes has now suffered three straight defeats with the Chiefs for the very first time, having also been toppled by the Eagles in last season's Super Bowl.
Despite reaching that grim milestone, the 29-year-old enjoyed a satisfying day at the office on an individual note after going 16-for-29 and passing for 189 yards, one touchdown and an interception.
He also carried the ball seven times for 66 yards and a score on the ground as the Chiefs failed to avenge their thrashing in New Orleans seven months ago.
Kelce, meanwhile, was their leading receiver with 61 yards for four receptions.
The 35-year-old, whose fiancee Taylor Swift was seen sneaking into Arrowhead to watch Sunday's game incognito, lost his cool during the second quarter when cameras captured him berating his teammates for not protecting Mahomes well enough.
After throwing his helmet down in disgust Kelce appeared to shout at Kansas City's offense: 'I'm sick of this s***!'
He was visibly furious despite Mahomes running through for a touchdown, having seemingly been left frustrated at the fact he was forced to scramble out of a designed pass.
