Chiefs win 27-20 over Vikings; Taylor Swift skips game
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw two touchdown passes in the third quarter, one to Travis Kelce after the All-Pro tight end briefly left the game with an ankle injury, and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-20 on Sunday.
Mahomes went 31 for 41 for 281 yards and no turnovers in his most efficient performance of the season for the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (4-1), who once again won while not at their best.
Kirk Cousins threw for scores to Jordan Addison and Alexander Mattison for the Vikings (1-4). They had two chances at the tying touchdown in the final five minutes, but a late hamstring injury to star wide receiver Justin Jefferson and a lack of timeouts from earlier mismanagement of the game were ultimately too much to overcome.
Jefferson slipped on the turf while trying to make a cut on his route during a third-down pass deep in Kansas City territory. He grabbed the back of his right leg and limped slowly to the sideline.
Mahomes hit Justin Watson with a 33-yard heave on third-and-18 from his own 17 to extend the Chiefs' first possession of the second half. The two-time MVP finished that drive with a tiebreaking 8-yard scoring toss to Rashee Rice.
All four of Minnesota's losses have come by eight points or fewer this year after a record 11 wins in 11 one-score games in 2022. The Vikings lost a fumble on their opening possession, again, a turnover by tight end Josh Oliver that the Chiefs recovered at the Minnesota 45. Isaiah Pacheco's touchdown run capped the drive and gave Kansas City the early lead.
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The victory gave Mahomes at least one against every other team in the league. The Vikings were the only team he'd never beaten in six years as Kansas City's starter. This was the first time he'd ever faced the team that plays in the city where his father, Pat Mahomes, pitched for the Minnesota Twins.
INJURY REPORT
Chiefs: Kelce fell awkwardly to the turf after catching a pass in the second quarter and went for X-rays. He watched the first possession after halftime from the sideline and went back in for the next one. ... LB Nick Bolton (ankle) was sidelined for the third straight game, replaced in the middle of the defense by Drue Tranquill.
Vikings: CB Akayleb Evans (knee) limped off in the third quarter. ... QB Nick Mullens (back) was inactive, elevating rookie Jaren Hall to the backup spot for Cousins.
UP NEXT
Chiefs: Host Denver on Thursday night.
Vikings: Visit Chicago next Sunday.
Justin Jefferson out on hamstring injury
(AP) -- Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson was forced out of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth quarter due to a right hamstring injury.
Jefferson slipped on the turf while trying to make a cut on his route during a third-down pass deep in Kansas City territory and limped slowly to the sideline after grabbing the back of his right leg. The Vikings scored a touchdown two plays later.
Jefferson was announced as questionable to return, but he watched the next drive from the sideline without a helmet. The All-Pro who led the NFL in receptions and yards last season has never missed a game in his career.
Alexander Mattison scores touchdown, improves score 27-20
Alexander Mattison runs it in for a Vikings touchdown, cutting the Chiefs lead in half, making the score 27-20 early in fourth quarter.
Chiefs extend lead to 27-13
Travis Kelce catches a touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes and extends the Chiefs lead to 27-13.
Vikings lose Akayleb Evans to leg injury
Vikings cornerback Akayleb Evans' return is out after a leg injury in the third quarter.
Evans was initially injured late in the first quarter with an apparent knee injury. He was injured again with what appears to be an aggravation of the original injury.
His return is questionable.
Chiefs pull ahead of Vikings 20-13
Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice forces it into the end zone and the Chiefs pull ahead of the Vikings 20-13 in the third quarter.
Game tied 13-13 at half
The Chiefs' Harrison Butker drilled a field goal to tie the game 13-13 heading into halftime.
Vikings pull ahead of Chiefs 13-10
Jordan Addison caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins and Greg Joseph hit the extra point to put the Vikings ahead 13-10 with 1:39 left in the 2nd quarter.
Addison leads the Vikings with four catches for 47 yards for far this season.
Fake it 'til you make it
The Vikings' Ty Chandler gets the first down with a fake punt on 4th and 2.
Vikings improve score to 10-6
Greg Joseph kicked a 29-yard field goal to bring the score up to 10-6.
This is Joseph's second field goal of the game.
Vikings cut Chiefs' lead to 7-3
Greg Joseph hit a 40-yard field goal to cut the Chiefs' lead to 7-3 in the first quarter.
Before the field goal, they converted a 4th and 5 to keep the drive going.
Chiefs up 7-0 after Pacheco TD
The Chiefs turned a Vikings turnover into 7 points when Isiah Pacheco punched in a rushing touchdown.
Kansas City leads 7-0 in the first quarter.
No sign of Taylor Swift yet
The Chiefs-Vikings game is underway with no sign of Taylor Swift yet.
WCCO's Marielle Mohs is on Swift watch at the stadium.
[Click here to read the full story.]
Vikings' fumble woes continue on first play
The Vikings' poor fumble luck continued on the first play against the Chiefs.
Tight end Josh Oliver had a big gain, but dropped the ball and it was recovered by the Chiefs.
Garrett Bradbury active, backup QB Nick Mullens inactive
The Vikings' backup quarterback, Nick Mullens, is inactive on Sunday.
That means if anything happens to Kirk Cousins, rookie Jaren Hall will be his reliever.
Center Garrett Bradbury is active for the first time since week one.
Other inactive players: safety Lewis Cine, tight end Nick Muse, linebacker Andre Carter II, tackle Hakeem Adeniji and defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga.
For the Chiefs, standout lineback Nick Bolton is inactive, along with defensive end BJ Thompson, offensive lineman Mike Caliendo and defensive tackles Matt Dickerson and Keondre Coburn.
Travis Kelce arrives — will Taylor Swift soon follow?
Travis Kelce has arrived at U.S. Bank Stadium for Sunday's game, according to CBS Sports.
Could his alleged new girlfriend Taylor Swift be on her way, too?
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey hopeful Taylor Swift will attend Vikings-Chiefs game
Minnesota Swifties — including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey — are hopeful they'll catch a glimpse at their favorite popstar this Sunday as the Minnesota Vikings take on the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium.
[Click here to read the full story.]
The Vikings have never lost to Patrick Mahomes. Hint: They've never played against him, either
There's only one team in the NFL that Patrick Mahomes has yet to beat.
The Minnesota Vikings, it figures, are the only one he's never faced.
[Click here to read the full story.]
Former Twins pitcher LaTroy Hawkins on godson Patrick Mahomes
Gameday BBQ with Famous Dave's
1-on-1 with Justin Jefferson
Mike Max sat down with star Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson to talk success, failure, sunglasses and, of course, Taylor Swift.
[Click here to see the full story.]