Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs outlast Vikings 27-20; Travis Kelce catches TD pass after hurting ankle
Chiefs win 27-20 thanks to Patrick Mahomes; Travis Kelce scores a touchdown despite having an ankle injury.
Even though Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions, have already experienced many close calls, they have only dropped one game, by a single point.
What they might look like once they get going is what the rest of the NFL should find terrifying.
The Chiefs defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-20 on Sunday after Mahomes threw two touchdown passes in the third quarter, including one to All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce who had to leave the game due to an ankle injury.
For the Chiefs (4-1), who once again prevailed despite playing below their best, Mahomes went 31 for 41 for 281 yards and no interceptions in his most effective game of the year.
Mahomes, who completed passes to ten receivers, said: “There are a lot of young guys out there, and we’re going to keep everybody moving and going in the right direction.”.
“I believe that by the end of the year, we’ll be dangerous because you never know who will get those opportunities throughout the game.
“.
For the Vikings (1-4), Kirk Cousins completed touchdown passes to Alexander Mattison and Jordan Addison.
Despite having two chances to score the go-ahead touchdown in the final five minutes, they were ultimately unable to overcome star wide receiver Justin Jefferson’s late hamstring injury and the lack of timeouts caused by earlier game management errors.
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.
After the game, Jefferson’s coach Kevin O’Connell said it was too early to give a timetable for his return.
On third-and-18 from his own 17, Mahomes hit Justin Watson for a 33-yard gain to extend the Chiefs’ opening possession of the second half.
With an 8-yard touchdown pass to Rashee Rice, the two-time MVP cashed in on that drive to break the tie.
Mahomes stated, “We were backed up.
“That really could have altered the outcome.
“.
During the second quarter, Kelce caught a pass awkwardly and fell to the ground.
He then went for X-rays.
Taylor Swift, who is rumored to be Kelce’s girlfriend, was not present.
From the sidelines, he observed the opening drive following the break before returning for the following one.
The defense was the driving force behind the Chiefs’ victory thanks to Steve Spagnuolo’s abundance of extra rushers that were directed at Cousins.
With cornerback L’Jarius Sneed leading the secondary defense, Jefferson was held to three receptions and 28 yards, both season lows.
Chris Jones, who recorded three of Cousins’ 12 hits and one of his three sacks, said, “They played exceptionally today.”.
They deserve my respect.
“.
After a record 11 victories in 11 games decided by one score in 2022, Minnesota’s four losses this year have all been by eight points or less.
On their opening drive, the Vikings lost a fumble once more, this time due to a turnover by tight end Josh Oliver that the Chiefs recovered at the Minnesota 45.
Kansas City took the lead right away thanks to Isaiah Pacheco’s touchdown run, which ended the drive.
Including eight lost fumbles, the Vikings have an NFL-high 12 turnovers.
According to Cousins, who completed 29 of 47 passes for 284 yards and no interceptions, “We need to protect the football and we need to make plays when they are there.”.
STOPPED QUICKLY.
With 12:11 remaining, Cousins’ 9-yard touchdown pass to Mattison had the Vikings within seven points.
The Vikings’ defense responded by forcing punts on both of the Chiefs’ possessions.
With 4:54 left in the game, the Vikings faced a fourth-and-7 situation at the 19 and committed a delay of game foul.
Then, as Trent McDuffie hit Cousins on a cornerback blitz, he threw the ball into the end zone close to Addison.
Despite Addison and Sneed colliding, the defensive pass interference penalty was not called.
Sneed, who removed his helmet to argue that the initial call was not penalized, said, “I feel like I had my head back,” much to O’Connell’s chagrin.
With 1:07 left, the Vikings gained control at their 19, but Cousins was once more under intense pressure.
He was sacked by Mike Danna on the final play from the Chiefs 38.
We need to figure out a way to stop some of those outcomes from having an impact on our chances of winning the game, O’Connell said.
TICK THAT BOX.
Mahomes now has at least one win against each league opponent thanks to the triumph.
He had only never lost to the Vikings during his six years as Kansas City’s starting quarterback.
He had never before faced a team from the city where Pat Mahomes, his father, pitched for the Minnesota Twins.
DAMAGE REPORT.
LB Nick Bolton (ankle) missed the Chiefs’ third straight game and was replaced by Drue Tranquill.
Vikings: C Garrett Bradbury (back) made a comeback to the starting lineup after missing the previous three contests.
NEAR UP.
Chiefs: On Thursday night, they host Denver.
