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David Eulitt/Getty Images
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes briefly left his team’s AFC Divisional Round game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with an ankle injury, but he returned to the game and threw a crucial game-ending touchdown pass to help to lead his team to a 27-20 victory.
Mahomes completed 22 of 30 passes for 195 yards and two goals. Those are paltry numbers by superstar standards, but that stat line proved to be quite impressive considering he missed the entire second quarter due to illness and played injured for the entirety of the second half.
Mahomes suffered the injury late in the first quarter after a hit by pass-rusher Arden Key.
grandstand report @grandstand report
Patrick Mahomes suffered an ankle injury but is still in the game 🙏 pic.twitter.com/PvTM5PNx0T
He stayed in the game until the end of the first quarter, but eventually left for the locker room.
Sunday Night Football on NBC @SNNFonNBC
Patrick Mahomes is being checked by medical staff between quarters. #ChiefsKingdom #JAXvsKC on NBC and @peacock. pic.twitter.com/t0jbOr8SZk
Sunday Night Football on NBC @SNNFonNBC
Patrick Mahomes went to the locker room. Chad Henne is now QB for the Chiefs.#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/gZ52YYcZpX
nfl network Ian Rapoport reported that its X-rays taken during the break were negative, but that the star apparently suffered a sprained ankle.
That didn’t stop Mahomes from returning for the second half, which started with the Chiefs leading 17-10 after backup Chad Henne led Kansas City for a 98-yard touchdown drive capped by Travis Kelce’s second touchdown of the game.
Sunday Night Football on NBC @SNNFonNBC
Do these TWO @tkelce! #ChiefsKingdom #JAXvsKC on NBC and @peacock.
The tight end starred tonight with 14 receptions, 98 receiving yards and his pair of scoring, as he and Mahomes led Kansas City to the AFC Championship Game alongside a gritty defensive effort.
Mahomes helped close this one out late with a fantastic 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that ended with a one-legged pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a six-yard score.
grandstand report @grandstand report
PATRICK MAHOMES WITH ONE FOOT 😮
It was a big moment after the Jags cut Kansas City’s lead to 20-17 following Travis Etienne Jr.’s four-yard touchdown run.
Jacksonville nailed a field goal in the final minute, but it was too little too late as the Chiefs emerged victorious despite Mahomes playing through injury.
Twitter recognized his post-game efforts.
Harold R. Kuntz @HaroldRKuntz3
Simply watching the greatness of Mahomes. The MVP for MVS Touchdown. #Chiefs
Warren Sharp @SharpFootball
KC OLine helping Mahomes to the sideline after another TD pass pic.twitter.com/CFPTXzQLbB
Dov Kleiman @NFL_DovKleiman
One-legged Patrick Mahomes is still one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Unstoppable. pic.twitter.com/ubdzSf1Di9
Rodger Sherman @rodger
Is Patrick Mahomes Really Winning an NFL Playoff Game Like This pic.twitter.com/FWEvGgpxPj
Derrick Johnson @superdj56
Use every word to describe how special @PatrickMahomes It is. Now add the word Grit. #ChiefsKingdom
The Chiefs will now face the winner of the match between Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills.
If the Bengals win, the game will take place at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. If the Bills win, the two teams will head to Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a neutral site game.
Either way, the matchup will take place on Sunday, January 29 at 6:30 pm ET.
