KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a matter of seconds, the loud roar at Arrowhead Stadium dissipated. Most followers went silent.
Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ main man, had thrown a landing move however ended the play along with his arms on his helmet and his facemask on the moist turf, his knees and elbows shut collectively for example how a lot ache he felt. In these seconds, everybody within the Chiefs group questioned what occurred. What a part of Mahomes’ physique did he harm? May he even end Monday evening’s recreation in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Or did he maintain a daunting non-contact, season-ending harm, maybe sinking the Chiefs’ possibilities of capturing an unprecedented third straight Tremendous Bowl victory?
When Mahomes entered the medical tent on the Chiefs’ sideline, coach Andy Reid walked towards Carson Wentz, telling the veteran backup quarterback to prepare to complete the sport. Mahomes exited the tent in lower than two minutes.
“I assumed he was joking,” Mahomes mentioned with a smile. “I used to be like, ‘Come on, we’re not doing this once more.’”
In contrast to the AFC divisional-round recreation in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars within the 2022 postseason, Mahomes didn’t miss a snap in opposition to the Buccaneers regardless of having a sprained left ankle. Just like that memorable playoff recreation, which began the workforce’s championship run, Mahomes returned to the sector and performed many of the fourth quarter and additional time by means of his harm Monday evening to guide the Chiefs (8-0) to a 30-24 comeback victory in a rainstorm.
“He trusts me,” Mahomes mentioned of Reid. “As soon as the docs checked it out and I used to be in a position to get again and do the (dropbacks) once more, he let me get again on the sector. As time went on, the ache subsided.”
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Early within the fourth quarter, Mahomes sustained his harm when he scrambled out of the pocket and flicked a brief move to working again Samaje Perine, whose 7-yard landing tied the sport. Mahomes mentioned he felt ache in his ankle when he planted his left foot on the slippery tuft simply earlier than releasing the move.
Two trainers had to assist Mahomes stroll throughout the sector to be additional evaluated. Within the tent, extra tape was utilized to Mahomes’ left ankle and foot to handle the swelling.
“I used to be working for the objective line and had dedicated to working the ball,” Mahomes mentioned. “On the final second, I noticed Samaje and awkwardly rolled the ankle just a little bit. It was positively scary. It harm extra as a result of it was the identical ankle I rolled final week (in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders). As soon as I calmed down just a little bit, it ended up being not too dangerous.”
Patrick Mahomes needed to be helped off the sector after this play the place he suffered an obvious harm to his leg. pic.twitter.com/F6gLhd8F96
— ESPN (@espn) November 5, 2024
With 12 minutes left in regulation, the followers at Arrowhead produced a fair louder ovation when Mahomes re-entered the sport. Contained in the Chiefs’ huddle, working again Kareem Hunt had a easy thought.
“We’re going to should run the ball,” Hunt mentioned. He added of Mahomes’ harm: “I used to be simply hoping it wasn’t too dangerous.”
What got here subsequent was the Chiefs’ most spectacular drive of the season, contemplating their circumstances.
Mahomes and Hunt orchestrated a methodical 15-play drive through which the offense took greater than eight minutes off the clock, didn’t commit a penalty and scored a landing to take a 24-17 lead. Mahomes continued his excellence on third down, discovering tight finish Travis Kelce and receiver Justin Watson to proceed the Chiefs’ drive. Hunt gained robust yards between the tackles and transformed a fourth-and-inches snap close to midfield.
“It’s my mindset and my love for the sport,” Hunt mentioned of his efficiency as he completed with 27 carries for a season-high 106 yards. “Even once I was on the sofa (in early September), I didn’t know once I was going to get a name — or if I used to be going to get a name — however I stayed constructive and saved figuring out. I used to be simply ready for a possibility to indicate the world what I can do. I used to be sort of hungry for the ball.”
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With the Chiefs going through third-and-goal from the Buccaneers’ 5-yard line, Mahomes discovered extensive receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a one-on-one matchup for a simple landing. Hopkins caught the ball after working a crisp slant route in opposition to cornerback Josh Hayes. Hopkins was wonderful in his first house recreation as a Chief after the Oct. 23 commerce from the Tennessee Titans. He completed with eight receptions on 9 targets for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
“He’s so good at profitable one-on-one,” Mahomes mentioned of Hopkins. “To have the ability to have him down within the purple zone and third-down conditions, he does job of discovering these home windows, sort of like Travis does. As he figures out your complete offense, he’ll get even higher.”
Hopkins once more 🔥
📺: #TBvsKC on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/KWQ2pYZpm8— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2024
Within the remaining minute of regulation, quarterback Baker Mayfield led the Buccaneers (4-5) to a powerful landing drive.
With out his prime two receivers, Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (left ankle), Mayfield did nearly every part coach Todd Bowles might’ve requested of him. Mayfield didn’t commit a turnover and was environment friendly on quick and intermediate passes, lots of the completions going to tight ends and working backs. The lone problem for the Buccaneers is that two selections they made late within the recreation prevented them from beating the Chiefs, which might’ve been their finest victory of the season.
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With 27 seconds left in regulation, Bowles elected to not hold his offense on the sector for a possible game-winning two-point conversion.
“I’m stunned,” Hunt mentioned of Bowles’ determination. “They gave us an opportunity, however I assume (it was) whoever had the ball final. It might’ve (gone) both approach.”
Earlier than additional time started, Mayfield confirmed his frustration at midfield after he referred to as tails and the coin landed on heads, giving the Chiefs the ball. Mayfield was by no means on the sector once more. From the sideline, he watched Mahomes engineer the game-winning drive.
Baker’s response to Mahomes and the Chiefs profitable the OT coin toss 😅 pic.twitter.com/75hS7WFcTU
— ESPN (@espn) November 5, 2024
“Pat goes down, it’s raining and so they know we’re going to run the ball,” Watson mentioned. “We speak about it on a regular basis: Let’s run the ball when the opposite workforce is aware of we’re working it. It’s cool to see that. It’s cool to see that and Pat comes again and toughs it out for us. It was only a good workforce win.”
Mahomes was good in additional time, finishing all 5 of his passes.
The Chiefs’ first play in additional time was a play-action move to Hunt, who gained 11 yards. Mahomes nonetheless confirmed respectable mobility, whether or not transferring within the pocket to finish a brief move to Kelce or protecting the ball on a run-pass possibility for a 2-yard acquire. Hopkins gained one other one-on-one matchup on the perimeter for a 15-yard reception.
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Regardless of the rainfall and his harm, Mahomes’ accuracy by no means suffered. His pinpoint passes led to 291 passing yards and a season-high three touchdowns.
“I pleasure myself on having the ability to throw in any situation,” Mahomes mentioned. “That’s one thing that’s a bonus at Arrowhead. If it’s raining, snowing, chilly or scorching, I need to be the very best thrower of the ball on the sector. That’s why we wish home-field benefit and the playoffs to return by means of Arrowhead as a result of it’s a particular place and you’ve got to have the ability to play in each setting.”
Chiefs win it in additional time to stay unbeaten! pic.twitter.com/Klz0vELuAE
— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2024
Hunt ended the sport with a 2-yard landing run, carrying two defenders into the top zone. Mahomes celebrated by lifting his arms to sign the landing earlier than the officers confirmed the rating.
Mahomes exited the locker room with out a strolling boot. As an alternative, he wore his black sneakers and walked away with out a important limp.
“He might need the loosest ankles in America,” Reid mentioned of Mahomes. “It’s ridiculous how he can come again from these issues — after which he’s mentally robust.”
(Photograph: Jay Biggerstaff / Imagn Pictures)
