In the Kansas City Chiefs‘ Monday Night Football 26-13 win over the New Orleans Saints, several veteran players delivered standout performances under the lights. Running back Kareem Hunt had a stellar night, rushing for 102 yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster made his presence felt with 130 receiving yards.

But the play of the night belonged to 35-year-old tight end Travis Kelce, who pulled off a daring lateral to running back Samaje Perine on a crucial 3rd and 22 play late in the second quarter.

During the postgame press conference, quarterback Patrick Mahomes couldn’t hide his amusement when asked about Kelce‘s audacious move, shaking his head before the question was even finished.

“I’m shaking my head because I told him before the play, I said, ‘I’m gonna throw it to you so we can get in field goal range,’ and he underhand shoveled it across the entire field. It’s like I’m talking to Sterling,” Mahomes said.

“That’s Travis, man. He’s a special player, and as long as he does it and it works, man, no one’s going to say anything.”

Reid’s reaction

Head coach Andy Reid echoed Mahomes’ reaction, appreciating Kelce‘s spontaneity.

“We do it every day, and he does a great job of the decision to do that or not do it,” Reid said. “If he doesn’t do well with it, I tell him, ‘Don’t come back to the bench.'”

Mahomes achieved his first 300-yard game of the season, but the Chiefs’ success in the opening month was largely due to their strong defense, which played a key role in maintaining their perfect record.

“We’ve won in different ways,” Mahomes said. “At the end of the day, our defense is playing their tail off and I think people are starting to realize that even more.”