Mahomes Leads Game-Winning Drive in First Career Start

LUBBOCK, Texas – Patrick Mahomes II displayed the same athletic, gun-slinger ability he showcased as Texas Tech's quarterback Sunday as he helped engineer a late game-winning drive to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a 27-24 victory over the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Mahomes finished 22-of-35 overall for 284 yards in his first career NFL start, propelling the Chiefs (10-6) to their fourth-straight win heading into the NFL Wild Card round next weekend against the Tennessee Titans. Kickoff for that game is slated for 3:30 p.m. CT at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Mahomes departed the game midway through the fourth quarter with the Chiefs controlling a comfortable 24-10 lead. Denver returned a fumble for a touchdown on Kansas City's next offensive play and then added a late touchdown drive, forcing Mahomes back on the field with just over two minutes to play.

Mahomes overcame a first-play sack to lead the Chiefs 67 yards down the field to set up a Harrison Butker 30-yard field as time expired. Mahomes was 4-of-5 for 52 yards on the drive alone, all of which came after the two-minute warning.

The game-winning drive wrapped an impressive debut for Mahomes against the NFL's second-ranked defense in the Broncos (5-11). The Chiefs were missing their top three receivers in Kareem Hunt, Tyreke Hill and Travis Kelce, who were all inactive with Kansas City already guaranteed the No. 4 spot in the playoffs.

With the win, Mahomes becomes the first quarterback drafted by the Chiefs to lead Kansas City to a win since Todd Blackledge did so in 1987. Mahomes is just the third quarterback selected by the Chiefs in the first round of the NFL draft, joining Blackledge (1983) and Steve Fuller (1979).

Mahomes could potentially face a pair of fellow former Red Raiders in Danny Amendola and La'Adrian Waddle if the Chiefs move past the Titans next weekend. The New England Patriots earned home-field advantage throughout the playoffs Sunday with a win over the New York Jets and will await the winners of Kansas City and Tennessee.

The first NFL start for @PatrickMahomes5:

- Road win against a division rival
- Game-winning drive
- Plenty of #PatBeingPat #WreckEm #RedRaidersInTheNFL https://t.co/jBsimgJk5x
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) January 1, 2018

Mood after you lead your first game-winning two-minute drill!

Fear Nothing #AttackEverything pic.twitter.com/PtBjAQPTPJ
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 1, 2018

Quality nugget: @chiefs @PatrickMahomes5 becomes the first rookie QB to notch his first career win at Denver since Sam Bradford did it Week 12, 2010. In terms of first rookie to win his first career start there, we are still searching.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) January 1, 2018

Mahomes Leads Game-Winning Drive in First Career Start

Players Mentioned

Patrick Mahomes II

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