Butker hits go-ahead FG, Chiefs beat Giants
KANSAS CITY, MO. » Harrison Butker hit a pair of fourthquarter field goals, including the go-ahead 34-yarder with 1:07 left, and the Kansas City Chiefs scrambled their way to a 20-17 comeback win over the New York Giants on Monday night.
Patrick Mahomes threw for 275 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Chiefs (4-4), who had to overcome two more turnovers along with 12 penalties for more than 100 yards on a cold, wet night at Arrowhead Stadium.
Tyreek Hill led the Chiefs with 12 catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. Mecole Hardman added five catches for 63 yards, including a 24-yard catch-and-run on the final drive that set Butker up for the eventual winning field goal.
Daniel Jones had 222 yards passing with two touchdowns and a pick for the Giants (2-6), but he also was sacked three times, including twice after the Chiefs kicked off with just over a minute left in the game.
It was just the fourth win in 15 meetings for the Chiefs and their first since the 2013 season.
The Chiefs actually diced up the Giants on their opening drive, but for the fourth time this season Mahomes had a pass bounce off his intended target for an interception — this time backup running back Jerick McKinnon. It was the seventh consecutive game Mahomes had thrown a pick and his league-leading 10th of the season.
It also was an ominous sign for an offense that has done little to resemble its high-flying reputation.
The Chiefs did score moments later, after Jones threw the ball right back to them, but they struggled to get into their familiar offensive rhythm. Mahomes seemed to be in a different
playbook than his wide receivers, tight end Travis Kelce was rendered a nonfactor by the New York defense and penalties began to pile up.
In fact, the Chiefs turned almost entirely to the ground when they marched for their second touchdown. It was seldom-used Derrick
Gore that carried seven times for 43 yards before breaking the goal line for his first career score. TITANS’ HENRY WILL NEED SURGERY » NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry will have surgery Tuesday morning on his right foot, and coach Mike Vrabel says the Tennessee Titans are not putting a timeline on when he will return.
Henry had tests Monday to check the severity of the injury after he finished a 34-31 overtime win in Indianapolis.
Vrabel said he knows Henry will do everything possible to work himself back to help the Titans (62). Vrabel said doctors will put a timeline on Henry’s recovery and possible return but he won’t necessarily listen to that.
The Titans have nine games remaining this season including their bye Dec. 2. The defending AFC South champs hold a three-game lead and the tiebreaker inside their division.
SAINTS LOSE WINSTON FOR SEASON » Saints quarterback Jameis Winston was diagnosed with torn knee ligaments that will end his season, coach Sean Payton said.
Payton confirmed the extent of the injury, first reported by the NFL Network,
following an MRI that showed a torn anterior cruciate ligament and damage to the medial collateral ligament in Winston’s left knee.
Winston was injured early in the second quarter of New Orleans’ 36-27 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday. On the play, Winston was scrambling when he was pulled down from behind by linebacker Devin White, who was penalized for a horse-collar tackle.
Winston’s knee buckled as he went down. He was unable to walk off the field without help and was replaced by Trevor Siemian for the rest of the game. BRONCOS TRADE MILLER TO RAMS » Von Miller is no longer the face of the franchise in Denver.
The loquacious linebacker is headed West to join Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey with the Los Angeles Rams, according to two people with knowledge of the big trade.