CLEVELAND (AP) — The only thing the Chiefs had to worry about in the final minutes Sunday was Patrick Mahomes’ ankle. The Kansas City Chiefs (13-1) managed to secure a decisive 21-7 win against the Cleveland Browns (3-11), but the victory was overshadowed by concern for Mahomes, who left the game with an ankle injury.
Mahomes threw two touchdown passes before limping off the field following a tackle by Dalvin Tomlinson during the fourth quarter. He finished the game completing 19 of 38 passes for 159 yards.
"We’ll get to the rehab part, the treatment part and try to get back on a short week," Mahomes said after the game, enlightening reporters about his recovery process. The Chiefs face the Houston Texans on Saturday, giving Mahomes little time to heal. "With all the adrenaline from the game, it’s hard to tell now if I can play. Usually, it’s the day after when you have a good sense of it."
Fortunately, after the game, X-rays revealed no fractures, and Head Coach Andy Reid expressed relief. "It’s not broken, that's all I can tell you," Reid stated, though the team would closely monitor Mahomes’ recovery.
The Chiefs built their dominant lead early, going up 21-0 on touchdown passes from Mahomes to Juju Smith-Schuster and Noah Gray before Mahomes exited the game. The combination of turnovers from the Browns made things considerably easier for Kansas City, which forced six turnovers from Cleveland, including four interceptions.
Remarkably, the Browns struggled to gain consistent momentum. Starting quarterback Jameis Winston was benched after throwing three interceptions, culminating in the introduction of Dorian Thompson-Robinson to finish the game. Winston’s disappointing performance left Coach Kevin Stefanski frustrated. "You cannot turn the ball over six times and expect to win," he lamented after the game, highlighting the team’s struggles this season.
Despite the poor showing from the Browns, Jerome Ford managed to break free for a 62-yard touchdown run, offering the lone bright spot for the home team. Nevertheless, the rest of the game turned out to be riddled with self-inflicted mistakes, emphasizing their dismal season.
Adding to the Browns' woes, running back Nick Chubb sustained a broken foot during the game, compounding the team’s injury troubles amid their disappointing season. The team is left reeling, having entered the game hoping to build on earlier successes but instead producing another lackluster performance.
On the other end, the Chiefs' defense stepped up significantly, capitalizing on Cleveland’s mistakes. The Chiefs created turnovers and held the Browns to only one touchdown, following their overall strategy of limiting offensive plays.
The game wasn’t entirely without injury concerns for the Chiefs. Star defensive end Myles Garrett had to leave the game momentarily due to what appeared to be an eye injury but was later able to return, much to the relief of both his teammates and the coaching staff. "Thank God, he’s OK," Stefanski remarked, highlighting the respect players have for Garrett.
With their victory, the Chiefs solidify their position heading toward the playoffs, but the looming question remains about Mahomes’ ankle and whether he will play on Saturday. After the game, many were already speculating on the status of the team’s star quarterback.
The Chiefs have faced diversity before, as Mahomes has previously battled through injury with focused determination. His desire to return to the field is palpable, especially as he has indicated the need for team cohesion going forward, stating, "I just gotta do a Better job of going through my progressions and trusting the offense." It’s clear Mahomes has his work cut out for him, both on the field and off.
Continuing to improve will be key for Kansas City, particularly with their NFC contenders seemingly on the rise. The next few game weeks will be significant as the team seeks to establish momentum heading toward the playoffs. Despite his injury status, fans remain hopeful for Mahomes' presence on the field as they follow the team’s quest for another championship run.
Looking to their future games, the Chiefs will host the Houston Texans at home on December 21, with eyes on their continued success and possible playoff positioning. Meanwhile, the Browns are set to travel to face their division rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, on Sunday, hoping to salvage some pride as the season drags on.
