Mahomes Leads Chiefs Over Titans for AFC Championship
For the first time in 50 years, the Kansas City Chiefs are headed to the Super Bowl.
Patrick Mahomes threw for three touchdowns and ran for a fourth as the Chiefs spotted the Tennessee Titans a 17-7 lead, then roared back to take a 35-24 win Sunday afternoon at frigid Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs last appearance was against Minnesota in Super Bowl IV. They also played in the first game, losing to Green Bay.
Mahomes threw for 294 yards on 23-35 passing and led the team in rushing with 53 yards on eight carries.
Tennessee running back Derrick Henry, who tore through the Baltimore Ravens' defense last week, was held to 69 yards on 19 carries. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill was 21-31 for 209 yards and a score. He was sacked three times.
Tennessee scored on its first two possessions, a 30-yard field goal by Greg Joseph and a four yard run by Derrick Henry to take a 10-0 lead. Mahomes completed a touch pass to Tyreek Hill for an eight yard score, but the Titans came right back with a nine minute drive resulting in a Ryan Tannehill touchdown pass to make the score 17-7.
Mahomes marched the Chiefs down field and hit Hill for 20 yards and another touchdown to get the Chiefs within three points and, after forcing a punt, got the ball back with less than two minutes to go in the first half. Nine plays later he was in the end zone after a 27-yard touchdown run to give the Chiefs the lead at the half, 21-17.
On their second possession of the third quarter, the Chiefs went on a long drive which culminated on a three yard run by Damian Williams early in the fourth quarter to increase the lead to 28-17. The Kansas City defense forced another punt and on the next possession, Mahomes hit Sammy Watkins with a 60 yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 35-17 midway through the fourth quarter.
But the Titans, stymied for nearly two quarters, came alive with Tannehill finding Anthony Firkser to the cut the lead to 35-24. The Chiefs got the ball back with 2:15 to play after forcing a punt. But Tannehill was sacked on fourth down, sending the Chiefs to the Super Bowl.