Chiefs to host AFC Championship Game after 31-13 rout of Colts; will play Patriots or Chargers
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs dives for the end zone for a touchdown as Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts defends during the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs will host the AFC Championship Game next Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium after dismantling the Indianapolis Colts in a 31-13 win in the divisional round on Saturday. They will face the winner of Sunday’s other AFC divisional game between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers.
Kansas City held Indy’s offense without points until 5:37 remained in the fourth quarter, when Andrew Luck found T.Y. Hilton for a 29-yard touchdown. Luck finished 19-for-36 for 203 yards with the touchdown and a lost fumble recovered by Justin Houston. The Colts’ only other points came on a touchdown after a blocked punt by Najee Goode.
The Chiefs scored 31 points despite zero passing touchdowns for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who went 27-for-41 for 278 yards and added a rushing touchdown. Mahomes dashed and dove at the pylon to put the Chiefs up 24-7 less than two minutes before halftime. The Colts were able to get pressure on Mahomes, generating four sacks and seven QB hits.
Indy barely had an answer for tight end Travis Kelce, who caught seven of his 10 targets for 108 yards. Tyreek Hill caught eight of 13 targets for 72 yards, and took a reverse for a 36-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
The Chiefs went 90 yards in five plays on their first drive, and never looked back. Mahomes went 3-for-3 for 61 yards on the first drive, which Damien Williams capped with a 10-yard run to the end zone.
This season marks the first time the Chiefs host the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium since it opened in 1972. If the Patriots beat the Chargers on Sunday, they’ll be in their eighth straight AFC Championship Game and go for their first win at Arrowhead since 2004.
