The Rise of Strategic Flopping in the NFL

As quarterbacks manipulate penalties while running, we are reminded of basketball stars that do the same and leave us wondering if it should be allowed in the games we love

It’s a pivotal moment in a playoff game, in a situation where the offense needs a first down. As Patrick Mahomes takes the snap, he scans the field and sees that none of his receivers are open. Calmly, he steps up in the pocket and starts to run. As the first down marker draws closer, the defender is closing in and he knows he can’t get to the marker in time. He slows down as he heads out of bounds and is hit. A sea of yellow and piercing whistles fills the stadium. The defender is called for unnecessary roughness and Mahomes has gotten yet another first down for his team.

This scenario played out in the Kansas City Chiefs Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans and has continued to happen in Chiefs games, much to the dismay of fans of opposing teams. In most circles this has been portrayed as a league that is too protective of its quarterbacks.

But that is not giving enough credit to Patrick Mahomes, who has identified a wrinkle in the rules and is exploiting it. It is the football version of how NBA stars like James Harden and Trae Young have drawn foul calls by jumping into defenders or hooking their arms to get to the free throw line…