Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Mahomes vs. Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers’ vaunted defense.
Patrick Mahomes vs. Aaron Rodgers.
The Chiefs were not the only winners of the AFC Championship on Sunday. The NFL also is a victor.
One-half of Super Bowl LIV in Miami is set, with the machine that is the Chiefs offense passing all over the Titans’ overwhelmed defense en route to a 35-24 final in Kansas City that brings the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl in 50 years.
Kansas City again started in a hole, falling behind 17-7 to Tennessee in the second quarter, before the machine began cranking and the Titans slowed. Derrick Henry was not the weapon he’s been, rushing 19 times for 69 yards, and Ryan Tannehill was the game manager — but not difference-maker — he’s been (21-of-31, 209 yards, two touchdowns).
But Mahomes was the star, not just completing 23-of-35 for 294 yards and three touchdowns, but showing off legs that will be immortalized in future NFL highlight packages. In all, he rushed for 53 yards and the TD below:
Incredible.
ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE.@patrickmahomes ? pic.twitter.com/VJ5kH895Om
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) January 19, 2020
If it’s the 49ers who advance, their top defense will be tested like they haven’t all season.