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Chiefs' Speaks let Brady out of grasp over concern for roughing penalty

Jim Rogash / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Breeland Speaks had Tom Brady in his grasp - then he let him go.

Late in Sunday night's thriller, Speaks, a linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, had Brady wrapped up on a crucial third-and-goal and appeared ready to register a sack of the New England Patriots quarterback.

However, Brady squirted free and dove into the end zone on a 4-yard touchdown run to give the Patriots a fourth-quarter lead.

Speaks admitted after the game that he purposely relinquished his hold on Brady.

"Because I thought the ball was gone, I didn't take him to the ground," Speaks said, according to ESPN. "It sucks, it sucks. You're supposed to finish plays like that."

The rookie added that he was trying to avoid a roughing the passer penalty. Multiple defenders, most notably Clay Matthews, have been flagged this season for either landing on quarterbacks with too much of their body weight or for hitting them outside of the designated strike zones.

"It's just the risk we've got to take now. Whether we get the flag or not, whatever happens, you've just got to go ahead and push through it and go ahead and make that play," Speaks said.

Speaks added that the possibility he'd be flagged was "definitely" on his mind, per NFL Network's Michael Gerardi. He also added that Brady would be given the benefit of the doubt by the referees, "especially in New England," per the Kansas City Star's Sam Mellinger.

The resulting touchdown put the Patriots up 37-33. They'd go on to win the game 43-40 on a last-second field goal.

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