Mecole Hardman caught the game-winner, but Marquez Valdes-Scantling played a key role on a crucial fourth down.

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce rightfully take the praise for how the Kansas City Chiefs offense runs, and that was true in Super Bowl LVIII as well.

But instead of Kelce, it was a pair of harshly criticized wide receivers who came up with two or three of the most important plays in the biggest game. Mecole Hardman has seen an influx of praise after catching the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime, but Mahomes has revealed that Marquez Valdes-Scantling played a big role in keeping the game alive.

Kansas City Chiefs fans tackle a shooting suspect during Super Bowl RallyMarquez Valdes-Scantling’s role in Chiefs Super Bowl win

Before a 4th-and-1 on their lone overtime drive, MVS suggested a play that resulted in Mahomes scrambling for an eight-yard gain.

So I was thinking of passes because I wanted to pass it, obviously, and have the ball in my hand. It was actually MVS that came up to the huddle on the side and kind of said, ‘Hey, let’s go Slide Keys’… When he said it, it clicked for me. It gave me the option to throw it to Rashee. It gave me the option to run.

Mahomes ended up running it as soon as he saw an opening. He picked up the first down and the rest of the drive is history.

Valdes-Scantling also caught a 16-yard touchdown pass in the game, so he was extremely influential by the end of it. MVS has struggled with drops throughout his career, but his role in bringing a second straight Super Bowl to Kansas City will not be forgotten.