The Kansas City Chiefs faced an early deficit after wide receiver and returner Mecole Hardman muffed a punt a little over midway through the first quarter of Sunday's AFC Championship Game. Fortunately, Hardman recovered, thanks to Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
The Buffalo Bills had a 3-0 lead when punter Corey Bojorquez booted it away to Hardman with under seven minutes to go in the first quarter. Kansas City's speedster fumbled the catch, and it was recovered by Bills special teamer Taiwan Jones at the three-yard line. Buffalo scored on its next play, taking a 9-0 lead after Tyler Bass missed the extra point.
Hardman was dismayed on the sideline, but Mahomes and tight end Kelce immediately went over to pick up their Chiefs teammate on the sideline.
All @MecoleHardman4 needed was a boost from @PatrickMahomes and @tkelce đ @Chiefs #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/l0jQb2kMVb
â Inside the NFL (@insidetheNFL) January 25, 2021
In classic Kansas City fashion, the Chiefs rallied.
Mahomes immediately led the team on a touchdown drive lasting over six minutes, one eventually capped off by a three-yard pass to Hardman. Nonetheless, Hardman was far from finished.
After Kansas City's defense forced a Buffalo punt, the Chiefs sprung Hardman on an end-around on the very first play of the next drive. He gained 50 yards, setting the offense up for another touchdown.
The Chiefs never looked back. They scored a third touchdown before the end of the first half before opening the second half with three straight scoring drives.
Playoff comebacks are becoming the hallmark of Andy Reid's team. Kansas City overcame deficits in all three of its playoff games last year, and Sunday was no different.
Mecole Hardman was down and out in the moment, but Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce called on past experience and championship pedigree to lift the Chiefs out of an early hole.
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