Sunday, Jan 16, 2022. 11:30 PM
SUMMARY
Patrick Mahomes threw for 404 yards and five touchdowns, Travis Kelce caught a touchdown pass and threw another, and the Kansas City Chiefs sent Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to retirement with a 42-21 win over the Steelers on Sunday night.
Byron Pringle caught touchdown passes from Mahomes and Kelce, and Jerick McKinnon and Tyreek Hill also scored majors. The Chiefs (13-5) began their quest for a third straight AFC championship with flying colors.
They scored on six consecutive midgame possessions, put Roethlisberger and the rest of the Pittsburgh offense out of action, and turned next Sunday night’s division game against Buffalo into a date at do not miss.
The Bills had the same ease in their 47-17 victory over the Patriots on Saturday. Buffalo and Kansas City met for the AFC title last season, which Kansas City won before losing to Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl.
TJ Watt scored the game’s first touchdown on a fumble return early in the second quarter to give the Steelers a surprising lead.
Patrick Mahomes’ offense, however, scored two touchdowns in as many offensive possessions to take the lead. McKinnon and Pringle scored on passing plays.
Mahomes added before the end of the first half by completing his third touchdown pass, this time to Travis Kelce on a 48-yard play.
By halftime, Mahomes had completed 19 passes for 241 yards, while Ben Roethlisberger was limited to 24 yards after completing just five of his 14 attempted passes.
Early in the third quarter, the Chiefs orchestrated streaks for touchdowns on their first two possessions. Mahomes reached all five touchdown passes in the game on relays for Tyreek Hill and McKinnon, who netted his second major of the game.
“Our goal is to avenge last year’s Super Bowl loss. The road will not be easy, we will have to play our best football against the Bills, in Buffalo,” Mahomes said after the victory.
“I’m gonna get one of these at some point.”
“I need one too!”
Jersey exchange coming between Roethlisberger and @PatrickMahomes. #NFLPlayoffs #SuperWildCard pic.twitter.com/L9YKohj9aN
— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2022
Roethlisberger and his offense finally hit a winning streak after effectively crossing the field for 75 yards. Diontae Johnson cut the lead to 21 points after a 13-yard touchdown. James Washington also scored a touchdown on a pass from Roethlisberger in the 4th quarter.
The Chiefs’ offense showed its creativity once again when Kelce threw a touchdown pass to Pringle on a two-yard play after receiving the throw-in directly into the backfield. At that point, the Chiefs took a 42-14 lead.
The Chiefs will host the Bills next Sunday. Buffalo won 38-20 in October, but Mahomes and the Chiefs won 38-24 in their meeting in the AFC Championship game last January.
Watt opens the scoring with a defensive touchdown
Mahomes lob to Pringle, Chiefs’ 1st lead
Mahomes and Kelce stun Steelers
And five for Mahomes! Hill’s turn to be targeted
Even Kelce can throw touchdown passes
