Jason Kelce isn’t the NFL’s arguably best center just because he can impose his will on other defenders. To play at his high level in the middle of the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line, you’ve got to find an edge and/or make a heads-up play whenever possible.
We saw a perfect example of Kelce’s adaptability on Thursday night against the Houston Texans.
With the Eagles trying to match the scorching-red Texans’ opening touchdown, running back Kenneth Gainwell attempted to turn a second-and-goal screen into a touchdown. When it looked like the back would certainly fall short (he did; he was down), a pulling Kelce happened to be in the perfect spot to do something unconventional — quite literally almost drag Gainwell into the end zone.
A couple of plays before the Miles Sanders’ TD, Jason Kelce tried to drag Kenneth Gainwell into the end zone 😂
(🎥: @HAFFnHAFF_TPL) pic.twitter.com/R2540Fkpw3
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 4, 2022
Man, they just don’t build many football players like Kelce. That said, this sort of maneuver isn’t legal — you can’t carry teammates like that into the end zone if you’re an offensive lineman. Though Kelce might not have been penalized specifically because Gainwell was already down.
For what it’s worth, Gainwell — who was a pregame consensus +400 for scoring a touchdown during the game — would eventually get his score. On the Eagles’ second possession to give his team a 14-0 lead.
Kenneth Gainwell puts the Eagles back in front 🦅
Gainwell Anytime TD (+400) 💰pic.twitter.com/OIX5euWxOL
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) November 4, 2022
Still, no one can forget the hilarious effort by Gainwell’s center to try and help him have two touchdowns.
NFL fans had mixed thoughts about Kelce's savvy vet moves with Gainwell
Almost worked, Kelce all about the savvy vet moves
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) November 4, 2022
Jason Kelce is hilarious. pic.twitter.com/HEHZ9vGYBU
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) November 4, 2022
jason kelce said GET IN THAT ENDZONE 🤣pic.twitter.com/J55k5ibDEk
— The Giovanni Show Podcast (@GioThePodcaster) November 4, 2022
this is illegal https://t.co/5uPkRiISUF
— Trevor Batson (@trevorbatson_) November 4, 2022
Texans players are correct to want a flag. That's illegal https://t.co/fZB98haIb4
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) November 4, 2022
hilarious, isn’t it? especially since it’s a penalty and wasn’t called, even tho the ref acknowledged it 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️ https://t.co/KPsOh1YdRb
— Scott M. Rhyne (@IAm_TheNatural) November 4, 2022
Knee was down before Kelce made an impact so no flag. Makes sense https://t.co/MfHzQvR4EY
— Did The Flyers Not Cause Me Pain? (@DidTheFlyersWln) November 4, 2022
Literally a penalty but the Eagles got away with multiple ones that drive https://t.co/So2wNOei6S
— Tom Wheeler (@tpw94) November 4, 2022
