AT MIDFIELD LATE in the first quarter of a tight Super Bowl LVII, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling streaked down the field on a corner route.
He beat Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry, who started the play across from him at the line of scrimmage before dropping off into a zone defense. Nearly 30 yards down the field, Valdes-Scantling looked wide open for what could easily turn into the kind of momentum-swinging, home-run play that wins Super Bowls.
But Patrick Mahomes won without it.