Patrick Mahomes shrugs off ankle problem as Chiefs beat Texans to close on top seed

Chiefs improve their record to 14-1 and are on course for top seeding in the AFC for the playoffs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles for a rushing touchdown in the first quarter of the NFL game against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium. Photograph: David Eulitt/Getty Images
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles for a rushing touchdown in the first quarter of the NFL game against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium. Photograph: David Eulitt/Getty Images

The Kansas City Chiefs closed in on the top seed in the AFC with a 27-19 victory over the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday.

Patrick Mahomes, who overcame an ankle problem to start the game, rushed for one touchdown and threw another to Xavier Worthy as the Chiefs improved their record to 14-1 in their bid to win an unprecedented third successive Super Bowl.

Kansas City will clinch the top seed and a bye to the second round of the playoffs if the Buffalo Bills lose on Sunday, or if the Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day.

Mahomes immediately allayed fears over his health, making the most of a defensive turnover to lead an 11-play, 66-yard touchdown drive which he finished off himself with a 15-yard run.

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The Texans, who have also already booked their postseason berth, ran the Chiefs close as quarterback CJ Stroud threw touchdowns to Dalton Schultz and Tank Dell, who suffered a serious-looking injury in the process.

But the Chiefs defence picked off Stroud twice and held the Texans to just one field goal in the fourth quarter.