It looked like a major injury for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. Then he did what he always does
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Within seconds, the loud roar in Arrowhead Stadium disappeared. Most fans went silent.
Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ leading man, had thrown a touchdown pass but finished the play with his hands on his helmet and his face mask on the wet grass, his knees and elbows close together to illustrate the pain he was feeling. In those seconds, everyone in the Chiefs organization wondered what had happened. What part of Mahomes’ body did he hurt? Could he even finish Monday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Or did he suffer a terrifying, non-contact, season-ending injury that may have ended the Chiefs’ chances of an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl victory?
As Mahomes entered the medical tent on the Chiefs’ sideline, coach Andy Reid walked up to Carson Wentz and told the veteran backup quarterback to get ready to finish the game. Mahomes left the tent in less than two minutes.
“I thought he was joking,” Mahomes said with a smile. “I thought, ‘Come on, we’re not doing this again.'”
Unlike the AFC divisional round matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2022 postseason, Mahomes didn’t miss a beat against the Buccaneers despite suffering a sprained left ankle. Similar to that memorable playoff game that started the team’s championship run, Mahomes returned to the field Monday night and played most of the fourth quarter and overtime due to his injury to lead the Chiefs (8-0) to a comeback -victory of 30-24. a rain shower.
“He trusts me,” Mahomes said of Reid. “Once the doctors checked it out and I was able to come back and do the (dropbacks) again, he let me go back on the field. As time passed, the pain disappeared.”
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Early in the fourth quarter, Mahomes suffered his injury when he scrambled out of the pocket and delivered a short pass to running back Samaje Perine, whose seven-yard touchdown tied the game. Mahomes said he felt pain in his ankle as he planted his left foot on the slick patch just before releasing the pass.
Two trainers had to help Mahomes walk across the field for further evaluation. Inside the tent, additional tape was applied to Mahomes’ left ankle and foot to control swelling.
“I ran to the goal line and committed to running the ball,” Mahomes said. “At the last minute I saw Samaje and awkwardly rolled the ankle a little. It was definitely scary. It hurt more because it was the same ankle I rolled last week (against the Las Vegas Raiders). Once I calmed down a bit, it wasn’t so bad in the end.”
Patrick Mahomes had to be helped off the field after this play, where he suffered an apparent leg injury. pic.twitter.com/F6gLhd8F96
— ESPN (@espn) November 5, 2024
With twelve minutes remaining, Arrowhead fans produced an even louder ovation when Mahomes reentered the game. Within the Chiefs huddle, running back Kareem Hunt had a simple thought.
“We’re going to have to run the ball,” Hunt said. He added of Mahomes’ injury: “I was just hoping it wasn’t too bad.”
What followed was the most impressive drive of the season for the Chiefs, considering their circumstances.
Mahomes and Hunt orchestrated a methodical 15-play drive in which the offense took more than eight minutes off the clock, did not commit a penalty and scored a touchdown to take a 24–17 lead. Mahomes continued his excellence on third down, finding tight end Travis Kelce and receiver Justin Watson to continue the Chiefs’ drive. Hunt gained tough yards between the tackles and converted a fourth-and-inch snap near midfield.
“It’s my mindset and my love for the game,” Hunt said of his performance as he finished with 27 carries for a season-high 106 yards. “Even when I was on the bench (in early September), I didn’t know when I would get the call – or if I would get the call – but I stayed positive and kept exercising. I was just waiting for an opportunity to show the world what I can do. I was a little hungry for the ball.”
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As the Chiefs faced third-and-goal from the Buccaneers’ 5-yard line, Mahomes found wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a one-on-one matchup for an easy touchdown. Hopkins caught the ball after running a sharp, slant route against cornerback Josh Hayes. Hopkins was excellent in his first home game as Chief following the Oct. 23 trade from the Tennessee Titans. He finished with eight receptions on nine targets for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
“He’s so good at winning one-on-one,” Mahomes said of Hopkins. “Being able to keep him in the red zone and third-down situations, he does a good job of finding those windows, just like Travis does. As he understands the whole offense, he’ll get even better.”
Hopkins again🔥
📺: #TBvsKC on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/KWQ2pYZpm8—NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2024
In the final minute of regulation, quarterback Baker Mayfield led the Buccaneers (4-5) to an impressive touchdown drive.
Without his top two receivers, Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (left ankle), Mayfield did just about everything coach Todd Bowles could have asked of him. Mayfield committed no turnovers and was efficient on short and intermediate passes, with many of the completions leading to tight ends and running backs. The only problem for the Buccaneers is that two decisions they made late in the game kept them from beating the Chiefs, which would have been their best win of the season.
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With 27 seconds left in regulation, Bowles opted not to keep his offense on the field for a potential game-winning two-point conversion.
“I’m surprised,” Hunt said of Bowles’ decision. “They gave us a chance, but I think it was the one who had the ball last. It could have gone either way.”
Before overtime started, Mayfield showed his frustration in midfield after calling tails and the coin landed heads, giving the Chiefs the ball. Mayfield was never on the field again. From the sidelines, he watched Mahomes engineer the winning drive.
Baker’s reaction to Mahomes and the Chiefs winning the OT coin toss 😅 pic.twitter.com/75hS7WFcTU
— ESPN (@espn) November 5, 2024
“Pat goes down, it’s raining and they know we’re going to run the ball,” Watson said. “We talk about it all the time: Let’s run the ball when the other team knows we’re running the ball. It’s cool to see that. It’s cool to see that and Pat comes back and tries it out for us. It was just a good team win.”
Mahomes was brilliant in overtime, completing all five of his passes.
The Chiefs’ first play of overtime was a play-action pass to Hunt, who gained 11 yards. Mahomes still showed decent mobility, whether moving in the pocket to complete a short pass to Kelce or keeping the ball on a run-pass option for a two-yard gain. Hopkins won another one-on-one match at the edge for a 15-yard reception.
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Despite the rain and his injury, Mahomes’ accuracy never suffered. His accurate passing led to 291 passing yards and three touchdowns on the season.
“I pride myself on being able to throw in all conditions,” Mahomes said. “That’s something that’s an advantage at Arrowhead. When it’s raining, snowing, cold or hot, I want to be the best ball thrower on the field. That’s why we want home field advantage and the playoffs to come through Arrowhead, because it’s a special place and you should be able to play in any environment.”
Chiefs win in overtime to remain undefeated! pic.twitter.com/Klz0vELuAE
—NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2024
Hunt ended the game with a 2-yard touchdown run, carrying two defenders into the end zone. Mahomes celebrated by raising his arms to signal the touchdown before the officials confirmed the score.
Mahomes left the locker room without walking boots. Instead, he wore his black sneakers and walked away without a significant limp.
“He might have the loosest ankles in America,” Reid said of Mahomes. “It’s ridiculous how he can come back from those things – and then he’s mentally strong.”
(Photo: Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images)
