20, 2019 after a furious end-of-regulation comeback in the AFC championship game. It was almost poetic for a quarterback three years removed from his own heartbreaking playoff overtime loss at Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs falling to the Patriots Jan. Soon, Mahomes would find Kelce for a game-winning touchdown over his back shoulder in the right corner of the end zone. Kelce laughed, describing the 25-yard completion as “just a little backyard football” to set up the 49-yard field goal that sent the Chiefs to overtime. But this time, he continued to a double move that capitalized on his inside leverage. Kelce glanced out as he headed upfield on a favorite route on which he already had successfully nabbed a catch. NFL DIVISIONAL ROUND WINNERS, LOSERS: Chiefs coaches were brilliant overtime rules stink MORE: 32 things we learned from 2021 NFL divisional playoff round “Do it, Kelc!” he yelled to his perennial Pro Bowl tight end. As Mahomes readied to take the snap, he glanced at Kelce to his left. Kelce said he might test the middle of the field. During a pair of timeouts, Kelce noted how the Bills were playing the perimeter more carefully, leaving favorable matchups in the seam. Why stress? Mahomes found Hill for a 19-yard gain. He didn’t worry when the Bills took a lead as late as with 13 seconds remaining in the game. Teammates and Reid said he never flinched when Allen and the Bills repeatedly rallied. There, too, Mahomes epitomized how a franchise quarterback could pave the way. He needs to demonstrate leadership as well. “I ran whenever I had the opportunity to, and once they saw we were willing to do that, they had to play more man coverages.”īut a quarterback can’t succeed merely by exuding athleticism. “They started out in a lot of zone coverages, playing a lot of zone shells overtop,” he said. Mahomes required the Bills defense to respect his legs and in turn opened up options downfield. His runs routinely resulted from cycling through his reads, scurrying around the field and ultimately deciding defenders’ coverage on his targets made the pass more risky than the run. He led all Chiefs players as he powered seven carries to a career-best 69 rushing yards and Kansas City’s first touchdown. Mahomes posed further danger in the running game. Mahomes completed perimeter passes just crisp enough for tight end Travis Kelce to haul in with one hand, and side-arm throws from angles too absurd and at times too low for anyone but his intended receiver to grab them. He completed deep balls and perfectly placed darts, including the pass that led Hill on his way to a 64-yard score with 1:13 to play in regulation. In the passing game, Mahomes completed 33 of 44 attempts for three touchdowns and no interceptions, his record perfect in a 9-of-9 third quarter and 6-of-6 overtime. In what facets did Mahomes distinguish his game Sunday? It’d take fewer words to describe where he didn’t. “Another step for him into the Hall of Fame.” “He had a chance to prove once again he’s definitely at the top of the helm when it comes down to quarterbacks in this league,” said Tyreek Hill, who led Chiefs targets with 150 receiving yards and a touchdown. Rising to the highest caliber of his position was necessary in a game in which Bills quarterback Josh Allen similarly elevated his level of play to contribute his own 397 offensive yards, including 68 by ground, and four touchdowns with no turnovers.Īllen was spectacular, and then there was Mahomes. He did so by demonstrating, yet again, his elite ability in all facets of quarterbacking. Mahomes carried the Chiefs to their fourth straight AFC championship game in a 42-36 win Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. He made everyone around better, which he’s great at.” “When it’s grim, be the Grim Reaper,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he told his quarterback as the fourth quarter waned. KANSAS CITY, Mo.- The Bills left just 13 seconds on the clock when they grasped a 3-point lead. Watch Video: AFC Divisional round overreactions: Bills-Chiefs instant classic caps off historic weekend
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