KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Patrick Mahomes takes the snap from Chiefs center Austin Reiter, pulls away from the line of scrimmage and then, in a little more than a split-second, must identify the best way to make the chosen play work.
Are the second-level defenders breaking toward the line of scrimmage, forcing him to keep the ball and look downfield? Or are they dropping into coverage, in which case the MVP quarterback will jam the ball in the gut of running back LeSean McCoy or Damien Williams and keep things on the ground.
The Chiefs use of that very run-pass option is a big reason why their offense has been so successful the past season-plus. It has largely kept defenses uncertain where the ball is going, opening up the field for the Kansas City fleet of fast, athletic wide receivers.
