Chiefs' Mahomes in concussion protocol after playoff win

Kansas City Chiefs built a defense and signed a backup quarterback that were good eugh to preserve a win.

w, are y good eugh to win on ir own?

Chiefs, who lost Patrick Mahomes to a concussion in third quarter of Sunday's divisional-round win over Cleveland, might have to find out with ir hopes of back-to-back AFC titles and a Super Bowl repeat on line.

Mahomes remained in league's concussion protocol Monday and coach Andy Reid declined to speculate on when he'll be cleared.

“Because of protocol it's a -brainer,” Reid explained of decision, which rests t in his hands but those of team doctors and outside experts. “You don’t even have to think about it. You just go forward. You have an answer if he's re and if he's t re. I can't tell you an answer from a medical standpoint. I just don't kw.”

If Mahomes is unable to play, 35-year-old journeyman Ch Henne would start against Buffalo in Sunday's AFC title game.

Henne took over when Mahomes sustained concussion with Chiefs leing 19-10, and he finished drive by leing Kansas City to a field goal. But more memorable will be two plays he me in fourth quarter, when Chiefs were trying to hold onto a 22-17 le and run out clock on win.

On third-and-14 in his own territory, Henne scrambled to his left and found some open , n sacrificed his body by diving for first-down marker. Henne came up just short, and when Reid elected to go for it rar than punt, coach put game in his hands by calling a short pass play to Tyreek Hill that gave Kansas City a first down.

“I thought Ch played with great composure, particularly for that situation,” Reid said, “and to come down to that last series, that big run was gravy. He dusted off those old legs, got m moving a bit, came up a hair short, came back and me a nice throw to Tyreek to clinch it.”

That throw wouldn't have been possible without a big stand by Kansas City defense.

After allowing Browns to convert ir own fourth down with 5:30 to go, y stuffed Nick Chubb and forced Baker Mayfield to throw an incompletion. And when y tackled Kareem Hunt for a loss on ensuing third-down pass play, Browns were forced to punt with 4:23 left in game.

y never got ar chance with ball.

“y have trust in each or to get that done,” Reid said. “I'd rar t have it have to be that way, bigger les, but bottom line is you attempt to win football game, and you do it best way you can against best competition in this league. At times you have to reach down, reach a little deeper, and really, whatever term is, to get in re and use that intestinal fortitude to get you over hump.”

WHAT’S WORKING

pass game kept humming even when Mahomes left game. Henne was 6 of 8 for 66 yards, though he did make a poor decision on an interception in end zone. It helps to have tight end Travis Kelce (eight catches, 109 yards and a TD) and Tyreek Hill (eight catches, 110 yards and game's most important first down) helping him out.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

Chiefs will need to get more pressure on Bills' Josh Allen than y did on Mayfield, who enjoyed standing tall in a comfy pocket most of game. only sack that Kansas City got came from L'Jarius Sneed on a cornerback blitz.

STOCK UP

Chiefs hoped to have Clyde Edwards-Helaire for first time since he sustained a high-ankle sprain in Week 15, but he was unable to go. Darrel Williams picked up slack, carrying 13 times for 78 yards against a stout Browns front.

STOCK DOWN

Harrison Butker got mixed reviews for his kicking performance. He missed an extra point on Chiefs' first touchdown, n missed a chip-shot field goal later in game — four points that would have taken a lot of pressure off final minutes. But he also set a franchise playoff record by hitting a 50-yarder just before halftime.

INJURED

Mahomes wasn't only player to sustain a concussion Sunday. Top cornerback Bashaud Breeland left game in second half, and with backup Rash Fenton out with an ankle injury, Chiefs' depth is limited in defensive backfield.

KEY NUMBER

16 — Reid moved into a tie with Chuck ll for fifth-most postseason wins by a coach in NFL history. Two more wins would move him past Joe Gibbs for fourth place, leaving only Bill Belichick, Tom Landry and Don Shula ahe of him.

NEXT STEPS

Chiefs have Tuesday off before returning to practice Wednesday, at which point y hope to have a clearer picture of wher Mahomes will be available against Buffalo on Sunday.

Im credits: AP