Giants' Okereke learns from 'country fumble' as Mahomes preserves Chiefs win
A scoop-and-score attempt by Bobby Okereke is erased by Patrick Mahomes, who recovers his own fumble; Giants look to rebound versus the Chargers
The play that could have swung a Sunday night game instead highlighted how small margins decide outcomes in the NFL. The Giants and Chiefs were tied at 6-6 late in the second quarter when Brian Burns sacked Patrick Mahomes for a 7-yard loss. The ball came loose, and inside linebacker Bobby Okereke was in position for a scoop-and-score. Mahomes, hustling to the play, punched the ball out of Okereke’s grasp and fell on it at the Kansas City 7-yard line. New York went on to lose 22-9. Okereke described the moment to The Post as a reminder that great quarterbacks will seize opportunities when they arise, even if a defender makes the initial grab.
"He made a great play," Okereke told The Post. "And you see the urgency he plays with. Just tracking it all the way and making a great play on me. I thought my reaction was good. You’re coached in practice, city fumble, country fumble, so to me it feels like a country fumble, a lot of open space around me so scoop it up. Just have to have a faster reaction to tuck it because you got great players like him coming out to punch it kind of right as you grab it."
The moment carried another layer of context: Mahomes is the kind of quarterback capable of turning a would-be turnover into a momentum swing. Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said the team has not lacked for effort or opportunities to force turnovers, but it has not come together in key moments recently. He noted a lack of four or five chances to pounce on takeaways across the last two games and expressed hope that the tide can turn against the Chargers this Sunday. "I don’t fault Bobby for trying to scoop and score it," Bowen said, "There’s space. He’s there. He actually does get it scooped. I actually thought it was a really, really good play by Mahomes. Just the effort and to be able to take it away from him. But we’ve got to find ways to take advantage of those situations and come away with the football."
Off the field, the symbolism around the game extended to MetLife Stadium, where banners criticizing Giants co-owner John Mara were anticipated to fly over the arena before kickoff a second straight season. Wan’Dale Robinson addressed the gestures with a mix of humor and seriousness, saying he hoped the team never ends up pictured on the planes unless it’s for something positive. "If that’s what they want to do with their money, then go right ahead," Robinson said. "I hope I’m not getting put up there, I hope I’m not worthy of getting put up there. Shoot, I plan to make sure I’m never up on that flying plane unless it’s for something good."
Meanwhile, the opponent for next week also carries its own notable injury and historical context. The Chargers will be without starting right guard Mekhi Becton as he remains in concussion protocol. They opened the season 3-0, with victories over Kansas City, Las Vegas and Denver, becoming the third team since realignment in 2002 to beat division opponents in each of its first three games. The Vikings in 2003 and the Bears in 2006 are the other teams to accomplish that feat.
The Giants now turn their attention to that Chargers test, hoping to turn the page on a game that featured both a standout moment and a missed opportunity, and to start building momentum ahead of another challenging stretch on the schedule.