Why Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay didn’t score after his pick vs. Patriots
Willie Gay comes up with the @Chiefs INT
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023
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In his four NFL seasons, all with the Chiefs, linebacker Willie Gay Jr. has proven to be a sure tackler who loves to play physical football.
Except in one particular instance.
When Gay gets the ball in his hands from a takeaway, like his energy-giving interception in the third quarter of Sunday’s 27-17 triumph over the New England Patriots, he turns to jelly.
“Being between the ground and somebody else, that hurts, man,” Gay said. “I can tackle all day, but being tackled (stinks).”
That explains why Gay, in a convoy with teammates after the pick, decided to step out of bounds at the 7 instead of plowing through traffic in an attempt to reach the end zone.
The touchdown happened two plays later when Clyde Edwards-Helaire made a leaping catch in the back of the end zone ... but Gay missed a shot at scoring the second NFL touchdown of his career. (He deflected a pass by Denver’s Russell Wilson and returned it for a pick-six last season).
No score this time.
“I got too comfortable, too complacent — the whole defense was leading the way,” Gay said. “I saw the (offensive players) coming ... ‘Yeah, I’m just going to run out of bounds.’ I don’t like getting tackled.”
On the play, Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe rolled right and appeared to be seeking tight end Hunter Henry. Gay stepped in front of a pass that should’ve been thrown away, snaring the ball near the sideline at the New England 29.
This time, the Chiefs can excuse Gay for taking the path with fewer obstacles. The turnover itself proved to be a major moment in a game the Chiefs desperately needed to win.
They were taking on a Patriots team with the AFC’s worst record but couldn’t find separation. The Chiefs led 17-10 at the time.
Also, as improved as the defense has been this season — the Chiefs entered the weekend ranked third in points allowed and sixth in yards allowed — they’ve been unable to come up with game-turning takeaways.
The Chiefs have given it away more than they’ve taken it, and that trend continued Sunday with two Mahomes interceptions and Gay’s play.
“We practice those things, interceptions, punch-outs,” Gay said. “They’re hard to come by no matter how much you do it. But you have to capitalize on the other team’s mistakes. We have to do that more and more, get two or three a game. That’s when you’re really rolling.”
Another reason the play was big for Gay: There was a bit of redemption involved.
In the second quarter, the Patriots had driven to the Chiefs’ 16 and faced a fourth-and-2. Henry slipped behind Gay and made a nice extended grab for a touchdown.
“He was so close on the one to the tight end,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “Willie’s one of the better athletes on this defense.”
Gay said he could have deflected the pass away with better timing on his jump. His chance to make up for it came soon, even if it stopped short of being a pick-six.
“Next time I’m going to score, for sure,” he said.