A.F.C. Championship Live Updates: Kansas City Leads Cincinnati, 13-6, at Halftime
Kansas City’s two biggest stars, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, had questions about their health leading into the A.F.C. championship game on Sunday. Mahomes’s sustained a high ankle sprain in the divisional round on Jan 21. Kelce had back spasms during practice this week, which made his playing status uncertain until just before game time.
But on Kansas City’s early offensive possessions, neither looked like players overcoming injuries, other than Mahomes as he wore heavy athletic tape on his cleats. Mahomes’s second pass was a rollout to his right, where he threw the ball while planting on that right ankle to Kelce, who caught the pass after running a short out route. Kelce took it past the first down marker for a 16-yard gain, then stood up and celebrated.
Mahomes’s’ ability to escape defenders and Kelce’s physicality after the catch makes them one of the best N.F.L.’s best tandems. It’s too early to determine whether either will be significantly hindered as the game goes on, but they seem to be moving without a hitch.
Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/01/29/sports/bengals-chiefs-score