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Jet Chip Wasp
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Jet Chip Wasp
DateFebruary 2, 2020
StadiumHard Rock Stadium
Miami Gardens, Florida
FavoriteChiefs by 1.5
RefereeBill Vinovich
Attendance62,417[1]
TV in the United States
NetworkFox
AnnouncersJoe Buck (play-by-play)
Troy Aikman (color commentator)
Erin Andrews and Chris Myers (sideline reporters)
Mike Pereira (rules analyst)

Jet Chip Wasp[2] (also referred to as 2-3 Jet Chip Wasp) was an American football play between Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill against the San Francisco 49ers on third-down-and-15 midway through the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LIV on February 2, 2020. The play helped begin the Chiefs comeback, which ultimately led to the Chiefs winning their first Super Bowl in 50 years.

Super Bowl LIV game action prior to the play

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After entering halftime with a 10–10 tie, San Francisco took the second half kickoff and drove 60 yards in nine plays, with Emmanuel Sanders catching two passes for 20 yards, Deebo Samuel rushing for 14 yards and Kyle Juszczyk hauling in a 14-yard reception. Kicker Robbie Gould finished the drive with a 42-yard field goal, giving the 49ers a 13–10 lead. Linebacker Fred Warner intercepted Mahomes on the next drive, returning it three yards to San Francisco's 45-yard line. 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo started the ensuing drive with a 16-yard pass to Samuel. Three plays later, on 3rd-and-8, he threw a 26-yard pass to receiver Kendrick Bourne and then followed it up with a 10-yard pass to Juszczyk on the Chiefs' 1-yard line. Raheem Mostert ran the ball into the end zone on the next play, increasing the 49ers' lead to 20–10 with 2:35 left in the third quarter.

On Kansas City's next drive, they drove the ball to the 49ers' 23-yard line. On a 3rd-and-6, Mahomes threw an intercepted pass intended for Tyreek Hill that was slightly behind the receiver. Hill tried to reach back for it, but the ball bounced off his arm and was caught by 49ers cornerback Tarvarius Moore, who returned it seven yards to the 49ers' 20-yard line with 11:57 left in the game. After the Chiefs defense rallied to force a punt, Kansas City got the ball back with 8:53 left in the game. After a successful challenge by San Francisco in overturning the call on a completed pass that would have secured a first down, the Chiefs faced 3rd-and-15 on their own 35-yard line.[2]

The play

[edit]
Mahomes in 2017.

In the pause while the previous play was being reviewed, Patrick Mahomes approached Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and asked "Do we have time to run Wasp?" Bienemy responded "you like Wasp?" and spoke into his headset "He’s asking for Wasp." He then asked Mahomes, "What down and distance do you like it?" Mahomes responded, "If it’s first-and-10, Wasp, or I’ll run it at any down and distance, I don’t care."[3]

The Chiefs had successfully run a similar play in the 2018 AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. In the play's design, the top 3 Chiefs receivers (Hill, Travis Kelce, and Sammy Watkins) are lined up on the same side of the field. Watkins is lined up on the outside and runs a deep square-in route. On the inside, Kelce runs a stutter-cross, and in the middle, Hill runs a 'wasp' route, in which he begins to run a deep crossing route, leading defenders towards the middle of the field before cutting sharply towards the sideline.[4]

When the play was run again in Super Bowl LIV, it was defended by the 49ers using zone coverage. Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley was responsible for the outside deep third of the field where Hill cut towards, but cut forward to cover Watkins and lost track of Hill. Safety Jimmie Ward was covering the middle third of the field, but cut inwards in anticipation of the crossing route, leaving Hill open towards the sideline. Mahomes was pressured quickly by defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, causing the former to drop back 14 yards behind the line of scrimmage and release the ball without firmly planting and winding up. Mahomes was tackled by Buckner immediately after his release of the ball, but nevertheless was able to throw the ball 57.1 yards in the air (the longest air-distance of any of Mahomes' completions in the 2019 season) to successfully reach an open Hill.[4]

Broadcasting calls

[edit]

Television

[edit]

Joe Buck made the call with Troy Aikman for Fox. Before the play was called, Fox broadcaster Troy Aikman noted Mahomes' poor play in the game leading up to the play and the incompletion on the previous play: "He's not played well, Joe. He's missed some open guys, he's had interceptions as a result of it, and that should have been his easiest completion of the night." Buck's call of the play:

Instead it's 3rd and 15. Chiefs need some Mahomes Magic. Launches! Down the middle, Hill! Open! Caught! And they get it, Kansas City, the big play.[5]

Radio

[edit]

Chiefs broadcaster Mitch Holthus and Kendall Gammon broadcast the call for 101 The Fox, the team's flagship station. Holthus's call:

Third and 15 for the Chiefs from their own 35, and San Francisco leading by 10. 7:13 to go in the game. Chiefs just 4 of 11 on third-down conversions against this San Francisco defense. That was tied for second, only New England was better this year in the NFL. They back off. Seven guys back into a deep zone here for the 49ers. 4-man rush, those four are enough. Here they come. Mahomes, stepping up. He's throwing long downfield for Tyreek Hill! Got it! At the 20-yard line! And then spun down there, the first giant chunk of the game! On third down and 15, and Mahomes guns it for 44 yards, down to the San Francisco 21-yard line.[6]

Significance and aftermath

[edit]

After the completion, the Chiefs were still down ten points with just over six minutes remaining. On each of their following three possessions, Kansas City scored touchdowns while holding the 49ers scoreless throughout the remainder of the game, leading to a 31–20 victory for the Chiefs, their first Super Bowl victory in 50 years.

Vince Lombardi Trophy presentation at Super Bowl LIV.

Analysts, as well as the Chiefs players, described the Jet Chip Wasp as the turning point in the game. When asked about the momentum shift in his post-game interview, Mahomes referenced the play, saying "I think it was the third-and-15 when we hit Tyreek down the field." "We were in a bad situation, especially with that pass rush. You knew those guys had their ears pinned back and they were going to be rushing. I think the offensive line gave me enough time to throw a really deep route, and I just put it out there and Tyreek made a really great play and so that got us going there."[7]

Kansas City Star reporter Vahe Gregorian described the significance of the play in changing the momentum of the game in favor of the Chiefs: "Seconds after defeat had appeared imminent, victory seemed almost inevitable. Abracadabra. It felt like magic. Or looked like fortune. But the intricate choreography, including the protection and a crucial decoy pattern by Sammy Watkins, reflected repetition after repetition at the very core of the fusion of Reid’s creativity and Mahomes’ transcendent talents." According to Mahomes, "It kind of encompassed a lot of stuff that we had run the entire season."[2]

This Super Bowl was considered by many to be the start of the Chiefs' dynasty through the early 2020s.[8] The team subsequently appeared in Super Bowl LV at the end of the 2020 season, where they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kansas City came back to appear in three consecutive Super Bowls following an absence in 2021, winning Super Bowl LVII over the Philadelphia Eagles at the end of the 2022 season and Super Bowl LVIII in a rematch against the 49ers at the end of the 2023 season, before losing Super Bowl LIX in a rematch with the Eagles at the end of the 2024 season, marking five Super Bowl appearances and three wins in a six-year span.

The play quickly became remembered as one of the signature plays of Chiefs history and of the 2019 NFL season, drawing comparisons among journalists with "65 Toss Power Trap", the Chiefs' touchdown-scoring play in Super Bowl IV.[9] In the NFL's official list of the top 100 plays of the 2019 season, Jet Chip Wasp was named as the top play overall.[10] After the Chiefs victory, the play was added to the usable playbook of Madden NFL 20.[11] References to the name and design of Jet Chip Wasp quickly became a popular inspiration among Chiefs fans for merchandise, artwork, and other commemorations.[12]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jet Chip Wasp

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
2-3 Jet Chip Wasp is an play called by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback during against the on February 2, 2020. The play, executed from a 3x1 formation with pre-snap motion, resulted in a 44-yard pass to , breaking a third-and-15 situation and igniting the Chiefs' fourth-quarter comeback from a 10-point deficit to secure a 31-20 victory and their first title in 50 years. Designed by to exploit defensive overcommitment through layered route concepts and Hill's elite speed, the audible call by Mahomes capitalized on a replay review delay, allowing precise alignment against the 49ers' man coverage. This moment has since been hailed as one of the most pivotal plays in history, symbolizing the synergy of Mahomes' improvisational genius, Hill's explosiveness, and Reid's innovative scheming.

Background and Play Design

Origins and Development

The "Jet Chip Wasp" play, formally designated as "2-3 Jet Chip Wasp," emerged from the ' collaborative offensive design process under head coach , incorporating input from offensive coordinator and quarterback . Reid, known for employing thematic nomenclature in his playbook, drew inspiration from insect-related concepts, stating, "We have some insect-[inspired] plays; this one kind of evolved off of that." The play's development lacked a singular creation moment, instead evolving incrementally through team brainstorming over approximately two years leading into the , with Reid estimating his personal contribution at around 51 percent amid broader staff collaboration. Initial iterations emphasized exploiting defensive alignments with vertical route combinations from a 3x1 receiver formation, featuring motion to create mismatches and elements such as deep posts to draw coverage away from primary targets. The Chiefs first deployed variations of the play during the 2018 preseason, executing it against the and to test its mechanics in live scenarios. A notable regular-season or playoff refinement occurred prior to its high-stakes usage, with the team running a version in the 2018 against the , where it yielded a 42-yard gain, demonstrating its potential against elite defenses. By the 2019 season, adjustments to protection schemes and route timing had honed it into a reliable "big-play" option, retained "in the holster" for critical situations as described. This evolutionary approach reflected Reid's philosophy of adapting schemes to personnel strengths, particularly leveraging speed threats like wide receiver , while Mahomes' pre-snap audibles and post-draft integration from 2017 influenced its quarterback-friendly elements. The play's prior testing underscored its maturation from conceptual sketch to executable weapon, setting the stage for its deployment in on February 2, 2020.

Key Personnel Involved

The design of the "2-3 Jet Chip Wasp" play is attributed to Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who incorporated it into the team's playbook with his characteristic creative nomenclature, drawing from insect-themed concepts to exploit defensive alignments. Reid's scheme emphasized route combinations that created conflicts for cover defenders, featuring a deep post by wide receiver Tyreek Hill to stretch the field. Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy played a central role in integrating the play within the Chiefs' broader offensive strategy, collaborating on its refinement and providing pre-snap adjustments during implementation. Bieniemy consulted with quarterback on situational applications and offered sideline guidance to Hill on route execution to maximize separation. , the Chiefs' quarterback, contributed to the play's evolution through his pre-snap decision-making authority, often suggesting variations based on defensive reads, which Reid and Bieniemy encouraged as part of empowering the signal-caller. Quarterbacks coach supported Mahomes' development, confirming the quarterback's proactive role in adapting plays like Jet Chip Wasp during film study and practice. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill was the primary target, with the play tailored to his elite speed and route-running ability to beat man coverage deep. Complementary involvement from Sammy Watkins, who ran decoy routes to manipulate safeties, enhanced the play's effectiveness in drawing coverage away from Hill.

Super Bowl LIV Context

Game Situation Leading Up

In , played on February 2, 2020, at in , the entered the fourth quarter trailing the 20–10 after the 49ers extended their lead with a earlier in the period. The 49ers, leveraging their strong rushing attack and defensive stands, had controlled much of the second half following a 10–10 tie, forcing the Chiefs into a must-convert scenario to mount a comeback with limited time remaining. The critical drive began after a 49ers punt with 8:20 left, giving Kansas City possession at its own 35-yard line. On first down, the Chiefs gained no yards on a run play, and second down resulted in a short gain or loss, setting up third-and-15 from the 35 with 7:13 on the clock. At this juncture, a failure to gain the 15 yards would likely force another punt, ceding field position and time to the 49ers' offense, which had averaged over 5 yards per carry and could manage the clock effectively in a 10-point lead. The Chiefs' offense, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, faced immense pressure, having completed just 11 of 21 passes for 88 yards in the second half up to that point, underscoring the play's do-or-die nature in sparking the eventual 21–0 closing run.

Offensive Drive Setup

Trailing 20-10 with 12:00 remaining in the fourth quarter of on February 2, 2020, the took possession at their own 25-yard line following a 42-yard by San Francisco 49ers kicker . gained 2 yards on first down to the 27-yard line. On second down, was sacked for a 12-yard loss by 49ers defensive end , but an offside penalty on the Chiefs' offensive line adjusted the situation, resulting in third down and 15 yards to go from the Kansas City 35-yard line with 7:13 left in the game. This do-or-die third-down conversion attempt carried immense weight, as failure would likely force a punt and diminish the Chiefs' chances of mounting a comeback against a 49ers defense that had limited them to 10 points through three quarters. Mahomes, recognizing the defensive alignment and drawing from prior success, suggested the Jet Chip Wasp play—a deep route concept exploiting Tyreek Hill's speed—directly to offensive coordinator during an extended , aided by time afforded from reviewing the prior sack. Bieniemy approved the audible, allowing Mahomes to call "Tre Right, Three Jet Chip Wasp" at the , prioritizing a high-variance deep shot over a conservative check-down to sustain the drive and shift momentum. This setup exemplified the Chiefs' aggressive offensive philosophy under , willing to risk on third-and-long to exploit perceived defensive overcommitment to run defense.

The Play Execution

Formation and Pre-Snap Motions

The aligned in a 3x1 trips formation—with three wide receivers bunched to the field side (right) and one isolated to the boundary side—from on their own 35-yard line during third-and-15 in the fourth quarter of . positioned under center in with a offset to his side, while aligned inline or detached to contribute to the route distribution, and the offensive line in standard protection to afford time against the ' aggressive front. This setup emphasized vertical threats from the trips receivers, including aligned widest right to target deep coverage, designed to overload and stress zone defenses like the 49ers' Cover-3. Pre-snap, the Chiefs incorporated jet motion, dispatching a speedy receiver horizontally across the formation from the back side toward the trips side at full velocity, mimicking a potential jet sweep or end-around handoff threat. This element, denoted by "Jet" in the play call "2-3 Jet Chip Wasp," compelled the 49ers' defenders—particularly linebackers and the seam —to declare their assignments, revealing rotations and preventing disguised coverages. The motion stretched the defense horizontally, forcing adjustments that softened the deep shell and isolated Hill in single coverage against Emmanuel post-snap. No hard shifts occurred, but the motion's pace and misdirection aligned with offensive coordinator Bieniemy's scheme to diagnose and exploit the 49ers' robber elements, where an extra defender lurked underneath, by drawing eyes away from vertical seams. This pre-snap deception proved pivotal, as it confirmed the coverage without committing to a run option, enabling Mahomes to audible or proceed confidently into the pass concept.

In-Game Actions and Completion

Following the snap on third-and-15 from the Kansas City Chiefs' 35-yard line with 7:14 remaining in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LIV, quarterback Patrick Mahomes dropped back 14 yards into a clean pocket provided by the offensive line, despite pressure from the San Francisco 49ers' defensive line. The Chiefs' receivers ran vertical routes from a trips formation, with wide receiver Tyreek Hill streaking deep down the sideline on a go route, while Sammy Watkins executed an inside-breaking route near the first-down marker and tight end Travis Kelce ran a stutter-step deep cross to occupy the middle of the field. The 49ers defended in Cover 3, with cornerback Emmanuel Moseley initially focused on Watkins' break inside, perceiving no immediate deep threat in his assigned third of the field and failing to rotate toward Hill's developing route. Mahomes quickly diagnosed the coverage mismatch, stepping up in the pocket before launching a 57.1-yard pass— the longest completion by air yards in the 2019 NFL season—toward Hill, who had separated from safety coverage. Hill tracked the deep ball flawlessly, securing the catch in stride at the 49ers' 21-yard line for a 44-yard gain that converted the first down and reached the red zone. The completion exploited the defensive overcommitment to the underneath route, leaving Hill in single coverage without timely support from the safety.

Broadcasting Reactions

Television Calls

The Fox Sports broadcast of Super Bowl LIV, aired on February 2, 2020, featured handling play-by-play duties alongside , with sideline reporters and , and rules analyst . Prior to the third-and-15 snap at the Chiefs' 35-yard line with 7:13 remaining in the fourth quarter and Kansas City trailing 20-10, Aikman highlighted Mahomes' earlier inefficiencies, including two interceptions and a recent low throw to on second down that forced the long-yardage situation. As Mahomes executed the play from a with pre-snap motion, Buck described the evading pressure before launching a deep ball down the right sideline, where Hill streaked uncovered past San Francisco's secondary for a 44-yard completion to the 49ers' 35-yard line. Aikman immediately emphasized the defensive breakdown, noting the 49ers' zone coverage left Hill in single coverage without safety help, crediting Mahomes' arm strength and anticipation for exploiting the mismatch. The duo's restrained yet precise delivery was lauded in post-game analyses for capturing the play's momentum-shifting impact without overhyping, aligning with Fox's professional tone amid the Chiefs' budding comeback. Post-play, Aikman dissected how the completion—Mahomes' first completion of 20+ yards in the game—exposed San Francisco's aggressive front failing to generate a third consecutive sack, while Buck transitioned to the ensuing run by , underscoring the sequence's role in flipping the game's energy. Broadcast reviews commended the team's composure, with Aikman's insights drawing on his experience to explain the 49ers' overcommitment to over deep coverage.

Radio Commentary

The Kansas City Chiefs' radio broadcast of Super Bowl LIV, aired on flagship station 101 The Fox and the Chiefs Radio Network, featured play-by-play announcer and color analyst Kendall Gammon. On the pivotal third-and-15 play from the Chiefs' 35-yard line with 7:13 remaining in the fourth quarter and Kansas City trailing 20-10, Holthus provided a live description of the "Jet Chip Wasp" execution, noting the pre-snap motion by to the left, the fake handoff to him, ' dropback amid pass rush pressure, and the subsequent deep throw to , who hauled in the 44-yard completion despite tight coverage from safety Tarvarius Moore. This gain advanced the ball to the 49ers' 21-yard line, setting up the eventual go-ahead touchdown two plays later. Gammon, a former Chiefs tight end, complemented Holthus's call by analyzing the misdirection element, explaining how Hardman's jet motion and the chip block fake pulled the 49ers' defense—particularly linebacker Fred Warner and safety Moore—out of position, creating the window for Hill's speed to exploit the coverage scheme. Their commentary underscored the play's strategic ingenuity, attributing the success to offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy's design and Mahomes' audibles, while emphasizing the momentum shift that propelled the Chiefs' 31-20 victory. The broadcast's enthusiasm reflected the play's immediacy as a game-changer, with Holthus conveying the crowd's roar and the tangible turnaround in field position and psychological edge. The full audio, including this sequence around the 2:20:00 mark, is archived in the complete radio feed.

Technical Analysis

Offensive Strategy and Misdirection

The "2-3 Jet Chip Wasp" play employed a 3x1 receiver formation, with three receivers aligned to the field side and one isolated to the boundary, designed to overload one deep third of the defense against anticipated Cover-3 schemes commonly used by the . This setup facilitated vertical route flooding, where multiple receivers, including , executed go routes to stretch the field horizontally and vertically, aiming to exploit seams and force defensive rotations that would isolate Hill in single coverage deep outside. Pre-snap jet motion by a receiver, typically Hill or a back, served as a diagnostic tool to reveal the 49ers' coverage responsibilities while creating optical misdirection; the motion threatened a quick handoff or bubble screen, prompting linebackers and safeties to declare their alignments prematurely and potentially vacate underneath zones. Post-snap, Sammy Watkins' inside-breaking route near the first-down marker acted as a misdirection element, drawing a defender inward and clearing the boundary for Hill's vertical stem, while Travis Kelce's deep crosser occupied the robber safety in underneath coverage, preventing post-safety help from Tarvarius Moore. The "chip" component referred to subtle rub-route interactions on the trips side, where intermediate releases from slot receivers disrupted trailing defenders, compounding the vertical threat to bait overcommitment from cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, who was pulled deeper by the flood concept. ' audible to this play on third-and-15 from the Chiefs' 35-yard line capitalized on the offensive line's pass protection, holding for 4.2 seconds against a four-man rush, allowing time for the misdirection to unfold and Hill to separate for the 44-yard completion. This strategy, previously tested in the against the , prioritized Hill's speed (4.29-second ) to convert a low-percentage down into a momentum-altering gain, shifting defensive eyes away from shorter options toward the perimeter threat.

Defensive Coverage Failures

The defended the "2-3 Jet Chip Wasp" play with a Cover-3 zone scheme, featuring outside cornerbacks and each responsible for a deep outside third, while free safety covered the deep middle third. This structure aimed to balance underneath support against short-to-intermediate routes while maintaining deep coverage, but it proved vulnerable to the Chiefs' route combination flooding Moseley's zone with three vertical threats: Tyreek Hill's deep outside go route, ' shallow inside cross near the first-down marker, and a third receiver stretching the area vertically. Moseley's primary coverage error occurred post-snap, as he prioritized Watkins' underneath break toward the marker over maintaining outside leverage and depth on Hill, allowing the elite-speed receiver to streak uncovered down the sideline for 44 yards. In Cover-3, the corner's responsibility includes carrying vertical releases while reading for underneath traffic, but Moseley's inward focus created an exploitable seam, as Ward remained disciplined in the middle third without rotating to provide help on the perimeter overload. Pre-snap elements exacerbated the breakdown: the Chiefs' bunch formation to the left and jet motion by running back prompted a defensive rotation into Cover-3, drawing initial attention to potential short perimeter plays and reducing reactive depth from the secondary. Additionally, the "chip" element—likely a release or block from tight end or another blocker—neutralized edge pressure without fully committing defenders underneath, freeing the passing lanes further. This combination highlighted execution flaws in handling route floods in zone coverage on third-and-15 from the Chiefs' 44-yard line, with 7:13 remaining and trailing 20-10 on February 2, 2020.

Immediate Aftermath and Game Impact

Momentum Shift Details

Prior to the "2-3 Jet Chip Wasp" play on February 2, 2020, in Super Bowl LIV, the San Francisco 49ers held a 20-10 lead over the Kansas City Chiefs after scoring the previous 10 points via two touchdowns in the third and early fourth quarters, exerting defensive pressure and controlling the game's tempo. The Chiefs, facing third-and-15 from their own 35-yard line with 7:13 remaining in the fourth quarter, appeared poised for a punt that would likely cede further momentum to the 49ers. The successful 44-yard completion from Patrick Mahomes to Tyreek Hill on third-and-15 not only converted the down but advanced the ball to the 49ers' 21-yard line, injecting urgency and belief into the Chiefs' sideline while visibly deflating the 49ers' defense. This play, audibled by Mahomes under pressure, marked the inception of a 21 unanswered points surge, as the Chiefs capitalized immediately with a 3-yard touchdown run by Damien Williams to narrow the score to 20-17. Following the touchdown, the Chiefs' defense forced a three-and-out punt from the 49ers, regaining possession at midfield and sustaining the momentum shift. Kansas City then drove 50 yards for another Williams touchdown, seizing a 24-20 lead with 2:44 left, before sealing the 31-20 victory with a final field-flipping defensive stand and touchdown drive. Analysts described the play as the pivotal turning point, transforming a faltering Chiefs offense into an unstoppable force and psychologically unraveling the 49ers' earlier dominance.

Contribution to Chiefs' Victory

The "2-3 Jet Chip Wasp" play was a turning point in Super Bowl LIV on February 2, 2020, enabling the Kansas City Chiefs to overcome a 10-point deficit against the San Francisco 49ers. Facing third-and-15 from their own 44-yard line with 7:13 remaining in the fourth quarter and trailing 20-10, quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed a 44-yard pass to wide receiver Tyreek Hill, advancing the ball deep into 49ers territory. This explosive conversion, executed via play-action misdirection that froze San Francisco's defense, avoided a potential punt and fueled a three-play touchdown drive capped by a 5-yard scoring pass from Mahomes to tight end Travis Kelce, reducing the lead to 20-17. The momentum shift prompted a Chiefs defensive stand that forced a punt, setting up Damien Williams' 4-yard touchdown run to take a 24-20 lead, followed by another Williams score on a 2-yard reception after intercepting a 49ers drive, sealing the 31-20 victory and the Chiefs' first Super Bowl title since 1970. By exploiting the 49ers' cover-3 zone through Hill's post-corner route and coordinated motion, the play demonstrated the Chiefs' offensive adaptability under head coach Andy Reid, directly contributing to a 21-point fourth-quarter rally.

Long-Term Significance

Legacy in Chiefs History

The "2-3 Jet Chip Wasp" play, executed on February 2, 2020, during against the , marked a pivotal moment in Kansas City Chiefs franchise history by igniting a 21-point fourth-quarter comeback from a 10-point deficit, securing a 31-20 victory and the team's first title in 50 years. This 44-yard completion from quarterback to wide receiver exploited defensive overcommitment, leveraging Hill's speed in a misdirection route that drew coverage away from the sideline. The audible call by Mahomes at the demonstrated his improvisational command, shifting the game's momentum decisively in Kansas City's favor. In Chiefs lore, "Jet Chip Wasp" has been elevated alongside the franchise's most legendary plays, such as the "65 Toss Power Trap" from in 1970, which clinched a 23-7 upset over the . Unlike the earlier ground-based trick play attributed to coach , this aerial execution under underscored an evolution toward modern, no-huddle explosiveness, blending pre-snap motion with post-snap reads to neutralize elite defenses. NFL Films' "Turning Point" series highlighted it as the harmonious execution of the "perfect trio"—Mahomes, Hill, and the offensive scheme—at the "perfect time," embedding it in the narrative of Reid's gadget-play mastery. Its success validated Reid's philosophy of calculated risk, contributing to the Chiefs' subsequent dynasty, including wins in 2023 and 2024. The play enduringly shaped perceptions of Mahomes' legacy, transforming him from a rising star into a performer capable of altering championships through on-field audibles. Fan engagement amplified its cultural footprint, spawning merchandise like T-shirts and framed diagrams that commemorate the call, while high school coaches in the Kansas City area dissected it as a teaching tool for advanced route concepts ahead of rematches like . Beyond statistics—a 44-yard gain on third-and-15—it symbolizes the Chiefs' resilience post-drought, fostering a team identity rooted in speed, deception, and quarterback autonomy that influenced offensive designs in subsequent seasons.

Influence on NFL Tactics and Recognition

The "2-3 Jet Chip Wasp" play achieved enduring recognition as a hallmark of quarterback improvisation and offensive ingenuity, frequently cited in analyses of Super Bowl LIV's turning points. NFL Films productions, including "Turning Point" and segments from "America's Game," dissected the play's execution, crediting the alignment of Patrick Mahomes' audible, Tyreek Hill's speed, and the blocking scheme for its 44-yard touchdown impact on February 2, 2020. Sports analysts have likened it to prior iconic calls, such as the Chiefs' 1969 "65 Toss Power Trap," positioning it as a modern benchmark for momentum-altering audibles in championship contexts. Tactically, the play underscored the advantages of pre-snap jet motion to manipulate defensive alignments, as Hill's outside release from the slot drew defenders inward, exposing the deep post-corner route against their Cover 3 zone. Mahomes' on-the-fly adjustment from a run-heavy call to this pass option demonstrated the efficacy of empowering mobile quarterbacks with play-calling latitude, a principle that has shaped schemes around dual-threat signal-callers league-wide by prioritizing real-time defensive reads over rigid scripting. The integration of a running back's chip block to neutralize edge rushers further highlighted misdirection's role in sustaining protection for vertical shots, influencing coordinators to blend run fakes with deep threats against aggressive fronts that overcommit to stopping the ground game. Post-Super Bowl analyses noted how such designs exploit fatigue in no-huddle drives, with the Chiefs' tempo forcing the 49ers into suboptimal positioning after a defense mindset. This has resonated in broader strategy, where offenses have leaned into similar motion-based diagnostics to counter evolving coverages, though direct causation remains tied to the play's exemplary execution rather than wholesale . Recognition extended to its role in affirming the Chiefs' offensive blueprint under , with defensive coordinators like later acknowledging its lasting lessons in balancing run defense against explosive passing threats.

References

  1. https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2020/2/6/21127009/patrick-mahomes-jet-chip-wasp-play-call-tyreek-hill-super-bowl-54
  2. https://www.footballfilmroom.com/p/2-3-jet-chip-wasp
  3. https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article240078423.html
  4. https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2020/2/6/21126906/meet-this-lifetimes-65-toss-power-trap-2-3-jet-chip-wasp
  5. https://www.nfl.com/videos/how-2-3-jet-chip-wasp-harmonized-the-perfect-trio-at-the-perfect-time-america-s-
  6. https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article245243430.html
  7. https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2021/2/1/22260390/chiefs-oc-eric-bieniemy-reveals-his-side-of-2-3-jet-chip-wasp-in-last-years-super-bowl-liv-nfl
  8. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefffedotin/2020/02/03/patrick-mahomes-third-and-15-conversion-propels-the-chiefs-super-bowl-liv-victory/
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  10. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/play-that-sparked-chiefs-super-bowl-comeback-to-be-added-to-madden-20-after-tyreek-hills-request/
  11. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/fmia/news/chiefs-win-super-bowl-liv-wasp-play-fmia-peter-king
  12. https://www.nfl.com/news/chiefs-rally-once-again-to-defeat-49ers-win-sb-liv-0ap3000001100762
  13. https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401131047/49ers-chiefs
  14. https://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-the-story-behind-the-kansas-city-chiefs-game-changing-jet-chip-wasp-pl
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  16. https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2020/02/03/super-bowl-fox-broadcast-review-joe-buck-troy-aikman
  17. https://www.sportsbroadcastjournal.com/super-bowl-liv-fox-gets-an-a-buck-was-short-and-sweet-aikman-spot-on-myers-terrific-on-sideline/
  18. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1578963/2020/02/03/media-circus-high-marks-for-joe-buck-troy-aikman-as-fox-aces-its-super-bowl-test/
  19. https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/neil-best/super-bowl-liv-fox-troy-aikman-joe-buck-w06598
  20. https://www.chiefs.com/video/nfl-films-the-story-behind-kansas-city-chiefs-jet-chip-wasp
  21. https://www.vavel.com/en-us/nfl/2020/07/01/1026465-throwback-2-3-jet-chip-wasp.html
  22. https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401131047
  23. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1579628/2020/02/03/all-of-them-were-going-home-how-the-chiefs-chased-down-the-49ers-to-win-their-first-super-bowl-in-50-years/
  24. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/chiefs-put-stinger-in-49ers-with-2-3-jet-chip-wasp
  25. https://www.facebook.com/NFLFilms/videos/turning-point-partick-mahomes-play-to-win-in-super-bowl-liv/1308249873356879/
  26. https://www.kshb.com/sports/football/chiefs/rockhurst-high-school-football-coach-breaks-down-jet-chip-wasp-play-ahead-of-super-bowl-liv-rematch
  27. https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/chiefs-super-bowl-2020-comeback-18656770.php
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