Chiefs outlast Vikings as Justin Jefferson, Travis Kelce suffer injuries

Justin Jefferson and Travis Kelce are hurt, and the Chiefs outlast the Vikings.

In his most effective performance of the season, Patrick Mahomes committed no turnovers.

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-20 on Sunday after Patrick Mahomes threw two touchdown passes in the third period, one of which went to Travis Kelce after the All-Pro tight end briefly left the game due to an ankle injury.

For the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (4-1), who once again prevailed despite not being at their best, Mahomes went 31 for 41 for 281 yards and no interceptions in his most effective performance of the season.

Taylor Swift isn’t included in Travis Kelce’s birthday celebration with friends.

For the Vikings (1-4), Kirk Cousins completed touchdown passes to Alexander Mattison and Jordan Addison. They had two chances to score the go-ahead touchdown in the final five minutes, but star wide receiver Justin Jefferson’s late hamstring injury and the absence of timeouts due to earlier game management errors proved to be too much to overcome.

On a third-down pass deep inside Kansas City territory, Jefferson slipped on the ground while attempting to cut his route. He seized the back of his right leg and slowly limped over to the sideline.

On third-and-18 from his own 17, Mahomes connected with Justin Watson for a 33-yard gain to extend the Chiefs’ opening possession of the second half.
With a game-winning 8-yard touchdown pass to Rashee Rice, the two-time MVP concluded that drive.

After a record 11 victories in 11 games decided by one score in 2022, Minnesota has lost all four of its games this year by eight points or less. Josh Oliver’s turnover, which the Chiefs recovered at the Minnesota 45, cost the Vikings a fumble on their opening possession. Kansas City took the lead right away thanks to Isaiah Pacheco’s touchdown run, which ended the drive.

Every NFL team has lost to Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes now has at least one victory over each league opponent thanks to the triumph.
In his six years as Kansas City’s starting quarterback, the Vikings were the only team he had never defeated.

He had never before faced a team from the city where Pat Mahomes, his father, pitched for the Minnesota Twins.

DAMAGE REPORT.

Chiefs: In the second quarter, after catching a pass, Kelce stumbled awkwardly to the ground and required X-rays.
He returned for the following possession after watching the first one from the sidelines during the first half.
dot. LB Nick Bolton (ankle) missed his third straight game due to injury; Drue Tranquill filled his spot in the middle of the defense.

CB Akayleb Evans of the Vikings left the game in the third quarter with a limp.
dot.
Inactive quarterback Nick Mullens (back) made rookie Jaren Hall Cousins’ back-up quarterback.