The Los Angeles Chargers eliminated the Kansas City Chiefs from playoff contention on Sunday, with a dramatic 24-21 victory that was marred by a season-ending ACL tear for Patrick Mahomes. The two-time MVP was injured in the final minutes while scrambling, and the Chiefs confirmed the severity of the injury after the game.
Mahomes took to social media to express his devastation, writing on X: 'Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s hurts. But all we can do now is trust in God and attack every single day over and over again. Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers. I will be back stronger than ever.' The club stated that they are exploring surgical options.
The injury occurred with just over two minutes remaining, as Mahomes was spun to the ground by defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand while throwing the ball away. He was helped to the locker room, and replacement Gardner Minshew led a brief rally before being intercepted by Derwin James with 20 seconds left, sealing the Chargers' win. Mahomes finished with 189 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.
It is the first time since 2014 that the Chiefs have missed the playoffs, a span in which they won three Super Bowls. The Chargers (10-4) completed a rare regular-season sweep of Kansas City (6-8), with Justin Herbert playing through a broken hand to throw for 210 yards and a touchdown.
In other NFL action, Jason Myers kicked a franchise-record six field goals for the Seattle Seahawks, including a 56-yarder with 29 seconds left, to beat the Indianapolis Colts 28-27. The Buffalo Bills rallied from a 21-0 deficit to defeat the New England Patriots 38-35, preventing the Patriots from clinching the AFC East title.
