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A20 SPORTS
Monday 20 January 2020
Mahomes' feet, arms, lift Chiefs to Super Bowl over Titans

By BARRY WILNER for 588 yards in the past
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) three games as an unstop-
— Arrowhead Stadium pable force.
rocked to Whitney Hous- "That's what we were able
ton's "I Want To Dance With to do coming in," Titans
Somebody.'' Kansas City coach Mike Vrabel said of
fans' half-century wait to his team's running game
boogie in the Super Bowl is entering the AFC title
over — in great part due to game.
their quarterback's magi- "We weren't (able to do
cal feet, not to mention his that against KC). I felt we
majestic arm. competed all the way
With his best imitation of a there until the end. ... You
tightrope walker, Patrick don't prepare these types
Mahomes high-wired the of speeches to talk to the
Chiefs into their first Super team about at the end of
Bowl since 1970. the season or to talk to you
Oh sure, Mahomes did his guys (reporters) about the
usual superb job passing, end of the season. That's
but it was his 27-yard tap where we're at."
dance down the left side- The Chiefs easily outrushed
line late in the first half that the Titans on Sunday. Ma-
gave the Chiefs their first homes led the way with 53
lead. From there, they out- of those yards and also was
ran the run-oriented Titans 23 for 35 for 294 yards pass-
and star back Derrick Henry ing.
for a 35-24 victory Sunday Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes (15) runs for a touchdown during the first half of the NFL AFC REID'S RETURN
Championship football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Kansas City,
in the AFC championship. MO. Reid goes back to the Super
At last, for the third time Associated Press Bowl for the first time since
overall, the Chiefs (14-4) the 2004 season, when his
are Super Bowl bound. it was known as the Super the Chiefs had Mahomes, ciding the NFC crown later Eagles lost to New England.
In two weeks in Miami, they Bowl — indeed, Lamar Hunt Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins Sunday in California. That gap is second longest
will play the winner of the is credited with coming up and Damien Williams on of- After taking a 3-0 lead on to Dick Vermeil's hiatus.
NFC title game between with the name — and his fense, and a vastly upgrad- Greg Joseph's first field TRICKERY
Green Bay and San Fran- Chiefs hammered Minneso- ed defense from when they goal — with Tennessee's Last week, Henry threw a
cisco. ta 23-7 with the typical Wild lost in last year's AFC title penchant for scoring in the jump pass for a touchdown
"I mean, it's amazing. It real- West offensive flair and a game. Henry was held to 7 red zone, he hadn't been against Baltimore. On Sun-
ly is," Mahomes said. "To be staunch defense. Those are yards rushing in the second called upon in his previous day, Dennis Kelly emulat-
here, to be a part of Chiefs characteristics that helped half. four games with the team ed his coach, Mike Vrabel.
Kingdom and to be able to carry KC this season. "They were doubling all — the Titans got a huge He sneaked free for Ryan
do it here at Arrowhead, Reid isn't as animated as these guys,'' Mahomes said break. Bashaud Breeland Tannehill's lob, falling back
these people deserve it. Hall of Famer Hank Stram, of his spectacular TD run on appeared to make a div- awkwardly but holding
And, we're not done yet." who famously urged the which he barely stayed in ing interception, but replay on for Tennessee's second
Adding to the joy of the Chiefs team to "keep ma- bounds. "I just ran it and got review showed the ball hit- TD. The backup tackle is
achievement, coach Andy triculating the ball down some good blocking at the ting the ground. the only offensive lineman
Reid and owner Clark Hunt the field, boys." Caught end and found a way to Helped by consecutive since 2000 with two TDs re-
accepted the Lamar Hunt up in the moment Sunday, get in the end zone.'' offside penalties and a a ceiving in a season. He also
Trophy — named after his Reid said, "It's awesome,'' A week after they over- fourth-down pass to Adam had one against Jackson-
father — emblematic of before asking the crowd came a 24-0 deficit against Humphries for his first ca- ville.
the AFC title. It was hand- to chant "How about those Houston, the Chiefs had to reer playoff reception, the Vrabel caught 12 touch-
ed over to them by Chiefs Chiefs?'' rally again. Titans converted on, what down passes as a lineback-
Hall of Famer Bobby Bell, Moments later, standout Down 10-0 and 17-7, Kansas else, Henry's 4-yard run. er, including one in the Su-
with Mahomes and safety tight end Travis Kelce pro- City didn't flinch, building a Then the Chiefs got rolling, per Bowl when his Patriots
Tyrann Mathieu jumping for claimed, "You gotta fight 35-17 lead while control- scoring on three succes- beat Reid's Eagles.
joy on the makeshift stage. for your right to party.'' ling the clock with a strong sive series. Hill took it in on a FOURTH DOWNS
Next up: chasing the Vince There will be plenty of par- ground game. Naturally, shovel pass, later beat top Displaying the gambling
Lombardi Trophy. tying on South Beach for Mahomes complemented Titans cornerback Logan nature of both coaches,
"Chiefs Kingdom, we are Chiefs Kingdom heading that with sharp passing, Ryan for a 20-yard recep- fourth-down conversions
going to the Super Bowl,'' into the championship spreading the ball on short tion, and Mahomes finished were key on early scoring
Hunt said. matchup. and deep throws. The dag- the half with his brilliant drives. Humphries, who
The Chiefs lost in 1967 in "Fired up to go to Miami, ger came with a 60-yard jaunt down the left sideline missed the last six games
the first AFL-NFL Champi- got to get on a diet so I can completion to Watkins for with half the Tennessee de- with an ankle problem,
onship Game — nope, it fit into my clothes," Reid the Chiefs' 28th straight fense seemingly expecting caught a 3-yarder on
wasn't called the Super said. "Very proud." point midway in the final him to step out of bounds. fourth-and-2 at the KC
Bowl yet — to the Lom- As they had done in their period. That gave the Chiefs a 21- 29. Two plays later, Henry
bardi Packers 35-10. Three past three "elimination'' Mahomes thrust both arms 17 lead. It went to 28-17 on scored.
years later, one year after games, the sixth-seeded in the air as the crowd Williams' 3-yard run to cap On the Chiefs' ensuing
the New York Jets shocked Titans (11-8) got started sang "I Want To Dance With a seven-minute drive. Then possession, they went on
Baltimore to lay claim to quickly. The difference at Somebody.'' Watkins toasted Logan for fourth-and-2 from the Titans
the AFL being equal to the Arrowhead as opposed That somebody will be ei- the clinching long pass. 28. Travis Kelce's 4-yard
long-established NFL, Kan- to Houston, New England ther the 49ers or Packers in Henry was held to 69 yards reception continued a
sas City was back. This time, and Baltimore was that two weeks. They were de- on 19 carries after rushing march to Hill's first TD.q