Chiefs continue perfect start
DENVER: Patrick Mahomes inspired a fourth quarter comeback as the Kansas City Chiefs extended their unbeaten start to the season with a 27-23 win over the Denver Broncos on Monday.
Rising quarterback star Mahomes completed 28 of 45 passes and amassed 304 yards as the Chiefs overturned a 23-13 fourth quarter deficit to join the Los Angeles Rams as the only remaining unbeaten teams in the NFL.
Mahomes, 23, who has dazzled in the opening weeks of the season, once again showed a maturity that belied his tender years to clinch the win at Mile High Stadium.
There was controversy however after an officiating blunder that favoured the Chiefs on a decisive drive in the fourth quarter which culminated in a Kareem Hunt touchdown that put the visitors ahead 27-23.
Replays showed the play clock had clearly expired on a third down play leading up to the score, but the infraction was not spotted by officials.
The resulting touchdown completed a remarkable comeback led by the unflappable Mahomes.
Mahomes had earlier found Travis Kelce with a two-yard pass to haul the Chiefs back into contention after they had trailed by 10 points early in the fourth quarter.
Until that late surge it had looked as if the Broncos, inspired by a superb defensive effort, had done enough to halt the Chiefs offence in its tracks.
Despite relentless pressure from the Broncos pass-rush, however, Mahomes proved elusive and managed to avoid being sacked throughout.
A hard-fought first quarter saw both teams trade field goals before Mahomes gave the Chiefs a 10-3 lead after scampering over for an eight-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Denver hit back with a touchdown of their own when running back Royce Freeman ran in a 14-yard score before Brandon McManus’ field goal made it 13-10 for the Broncos at halftime.
Phillip Lindsay’s third quarter touchdown and a further McManus field goal stretched Denver’s lead early in the fourth quarter before Mahomes rescued the Chiefs.