The Superbowl showdown is set. In the AFC, Kansas City was able to squeak by with a game winning field goal to keep their dreams alive and send home the Bengals following a near comeback by Cincinnati. The Chiefs got ahead early but The Bengals were able to stay close. In the end they just couldn’t find a way to pull out the win and Kansas City clinched their berth at home in Arrowhead.
One of the biggest stories might be the injuries going into and coming out of the game. Luckily for Kansas City, they have two weeks to prepare for Philadelphia as they will need to use some of that time to rest and recover. Star players Patrick Mahomes (High Ankle) and Travis Kelce (Back Spasms) were both able to play in the championship and played the entire game which was a big help for The Chiefs. Kelce logged 7 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown, while Mahomes finished with 326 yards and two touchdowns. Patrick Mahomes was clearly limited in his mobility and played mostly from the pocket. He did attempt 3 carries which netted him 8 yards with one of them being the most important in which he drew a late hit penalty for the game winning field goal. Kelce looked like he normally does, fairly open and able to give his QB a chance. Though labeled questionable there was little doubt that he would play with this being such a big game and sure enough he was able to work through it and perform on the field.
#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes aggravated his ankle backpedaling. Still in the game but mobility clearly less as he is having trouble escaping pressure. #NFL #Injury
— Sports Doc Matt (@sportsdocmatt) January 30, 2023
During the game however Kansas city lost WR Mecole Hardman to a re-aggravated pelvic injury, Juju Smith-Schuster to a knee injury, WR Kadarius Toney to an ankle injury, CB L’Jarius Snead to a concussion and LB Willie Gay suffered a shoulder injury. All injuries to watch over the next two weeks. If the injuries to Toney, Smith-Schuster and Gay are only mild to moderate then expect each one of them to be ready to go for the Superbowl as they aren’t going to let a few bumps and bruises (I’m downplaying some) stop them from playing in the biggest game of the year. Snead however will have to clear the concussion protocol but having two weeks will defiantly work in his favor. Hardmans injury is tricky as he will of course do everything he can to be out there competing with his team but the re-aggravation does add an extra layer of mystery. He had just returned to gameplay and with him reinjuring it already this is an injury that he could reinjure quite easily again as it clearly is still an issue. We will have to watch practice reports as they are released to see how he progresses.
Overall I think Kansas City will be primarily healed up for the big game. Mahomes may still be limited slightly in mobility but him and Kelce should both be ready to go as should the injured from Sunday for the most part. They will need to be as healthy as possible with Philadelphia rolling into Arizona with a pretty healthy squad.
