#HenneThingIsPossible Thanks to “Big Balls” Andy Reid
In arguably one of the most dramatic games of the season, the Kansas City Chiefs hung on late – without their superstar QB – to advance to the AFC Championship Game.
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In the first half, it was business as usual for the 15-2 Chiefs. Star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, looked dangerous throwing for 255 yards – with touchdowns both in the air and on the ground – to jump out to a 19-3 lead at the half. With momentum on their side after a touchback forced by Daniel Sorensen late in the half, the Chiefs looked likely to run over the Cleveland Browns with ease.
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The second half, however, was when the game flipped on its head. After already visiting the injury tent earlier in the game, Mahomes was sent for a checkup a second time after a tackle left him dazed halfway through the third quarter. With the Browns offense starting to put pressure on, the Chiefs were in need of a miracle.
And that’s exactly what they got.
“Andy Reid Has the Biggest Balls in the NFL”
Back to back big plays from Andy Reid‘s Chiefs secured a hard-fought win in what was one of the most exciting finishes to a playoff game in recent memory. On 3rd & long, backup QB Chad Henne elected to rush, resulting in a 14-yard run to leave them within inches of icing the game. It might not sound like a miracle play, but as pointed out by The Punt Return‘s Nick Splitter, Henne has been in the league for 13 seasons, playing in 79 games and has had running plays of at least 14-yards on just four occasions.
But that was just the beginning of the Chiefs miracle. Despite Henne’s heroics on 3rd down, the Chiefs were still inches away from the first down needed to ice the game.
As Splitter says, enter Andy Reid: the head coach with “the biggest balls in the NFL.”
Calling one of the biggest plays in NFL Playoff history, Coach Reid officially killed off the hopes and dreams of all Browns supporters around the globe, and delivered the Chiefs to a third consecutive AFC Championship Game.
#HennethingIsPossible
The body language of the offense before the play suggested there was no play. It looked like the Chiefs were merely letting the clock run with the hope of drawing a penalty before needing to call a timeout, and punt the ball away. Instead, a pass play from Henne to receiver Tyreek Hill caught the Browns defense – and the whole football world – off guard, leading to the first down and the victory.
“ONLY ANDY REID!” screamed Tony Romo from the commentary booth, as the (limited) capacity crowd at Arrowhead Stadium went ballistic.
It was just last week The Punt Return‘s Josh Wye begged to see more aggression from coaches in their play-calling. Andy Reid answered that particular call in the most brilliant of ways, capping off one of the games of the season.
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