WATCH: Patrick Mahomes takes helmet-rattling hit from DeShon Elliott as intensity soars in Chiefs-Dolphins AFC wild card clash
Mahomes had a nasty collision with the Miami player.
Patrick Mahomes’ helmet cracked during the wild card game between Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins on Saturday January 13 (Screengrab YouTube/ Emily Curiel, X)
Whatever chill Patrick Mahomes was feeling on Saturday night went away when he had a head-on collision during the Miami Dolphins game at Arrowhead. The Kansas City Chiefs took an early lead and kept it that way throughout the first half.
During the 5-minute mark in the third quarter, the Chiefs had the ball on 2nd and 6 inside Dolphins territory. Mahomes took the snap and was looking for a wallet until the pocket closed in. He chose the next best option, which was to run with the ball.
After evading a couple of Dolphins players, Mahomes managed to reach the Miami 5-yard line. His mazy run came to an abrupt halt when Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott charged in head first. Elliott not only stopped the Chiefs quarterback, but the impact of the collision cracked a portion of his helmet.
piece of Mahomes helmet came off on that hit pic.twitter.com/ZUsS53Mhy0
— Tedd Buddwell 🏀🏈 (@TedBuddy8) January 14, 2024
Curiously, the officials stopped the game even though there was no timeout called by Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. Peacock announcer Terry McAulay can be heard mentioning this during the stream.
Equipment changed; they stopped the clock; he really should have to go out or they take a time-out.
"Equipment change, they stopped the clock, he really should have to go out or they take a time-out."
Terry McAulay is confused as Patrick Mahomes is allowed to replace a cracked helmet without a time-out or having to leave the game. pic.twitter.com/wrEZEngPYz
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 14, 2024
Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to another playoff victory
The play resumed after a brief pause, but the drive had to end with Harrison Butker‘s field goal because Mahomes threw two wayward passes. The score stood at 19-7, and it stayed that way until 4 minutes into the fourth quarter.
Tua Tagovailoa and Patrick Mahomes after the Chiefs win at Arrowhead (Screengrab YouTube)
Coach Andy Reid brought out the party tricks. On 1st and goal, running back Isiah Pacheco took a direct snap instead of his quarterback. Pacheco then pinballed his way into the Dolphins’ end zone to increase the score by 6.
Isiah Pacheco with the dagger 🗡️
pic.twitter.com/mgF2cBQmF0— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) January 14, 2024
In the end, the game ended without any reply from Miami since a first-quarter 53-yard Tyreek Hill touchdown. Hill’s much-anticipated return to Arrowhead ended in another disappointment as he lost both ties against his former side this season.
TUA TO TYREEK HILL TOUCHDOWN
MIAMI NEEDED THAT BADLY.pic.twitter.com/89ZJaaL1Vj
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) January 14, 2024
Patrick Mahomes ended the game with 23/41 completions for 262 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 carries for 41 yards. Mahomes has now won at least one playoff game every season besides his rookie year. He is now 12-3 in the postseason. He sits behind Tom Brady (21) for the second-most home playoff wins(10).
Patrick Mahomes has tied Peyton Manning and Joe Montana for the 2nd-most home playoff wins in NFL history!
Pretty solid company 👏 pic.twitter.com/EwVbtqMJij
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 14, 2024
Pacheco ended the game with 24 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown. He ended the 2023 regular season with 205 rushes with the ball for 935 yards and seven touchdowns. Wide receiver Rashee Rice, against the Dolphins, became the rookie with the most receiving yards. Rice had 130 yards from eight catches and one touchdown.
