Imago
2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) before playing against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Imago
2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) before playing against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
The divisional playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars is still the talk of the town. The game saw some tough hits and injuries on both teams. But the biggest talking point is still the tough hit on the Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. The NFL’s decision on the Jaguars’ OLB for that hit has raised many eyebrows.
The Chiefs won the game in the end and sailed through to the divisional championship game. But they got the scare of their lives when Mahomes hobbled off the field.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Decision on the Patrick Mahomes raises doubts
The Jaguars offensive linebacker Arden Key got a fine of $15,914 for roughing the Chiefs QB2 Chad Henne.
Read more: “I Haven’t Been Home a Ton”: Patrick Mahomes Addresses Wife Brittany’s Role as an Exceptional Mother
But he escaped the tough hit on Patrick Mahomes that sent the Chiefs QB1 to the locker room.
The NFL didn’t fine #Jaguars OLB Arden Key for the hit that injured Patrick Mahomes’ ankle last week — but Key was fined $15,914 for roughing #Chiefs backup QB Chad Henne in the second quarter.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 28, 2023
The fine has raised some eyebrows in the NFL world. Many fans think that Key should face a fine for the hit on Mahomes. Some even called the hit dirty and intentional. This fan thinks the tackle on Mahomes was a bad one.
Well, his play on Mahomes wasn’t illegal but it’s a bad way to tackle and shouldn’t be coached. Grab and drop the weight on a guy. It’s waiting for major injuries to happen.
— JRo (@JRo1919) January 28, 2023
Another fan thought Key intentionally landed on Mahomes’ leg.
Key clearly looked down and saw Patrick’s legs under him and purposely fell with all his weight on his legs. That’s ok we won and we will win Sunday. Key is a dirty player that won’t be in the nfl much longer
— D Mac (@hst714) January 28, 2023
This fan is not happy with the hit at all and called it dirty.
The hit was Dirty just like the one on Pollard. It’s a Horse collar tackle but just grabbing a little lower. It’s BS
— John Sanchez (@JohnSan01542628) January 28, 2023
Another fan is of the opinion that the fine should be for the Mahomes hit and not the one on Henne.
Should’ve been fined for Mahomes but not Henne. He clearly saw the ball was gone, collapsed his knees on his ankle and grabbed his shoulder. Looked intentional to me. But the Henne one wasn’t RTP imo
— Brett (@ChiefsSznAllDay) January 28, 2023
This fan thinks Key wanted to take Mahomes out of the game.
Completely intentional. He was trying to take out Mahomes. Loser.
— Brad Clemons (@BradClemons00) January 28, 2023
But this fan thinks the Henne tackle was legit.
Would love to know the outcome of the appeal because all Key has to do is actually show the @nfl this video. This is just an attempt to justify a horribly officiated game pic.twitter.com/4JJFV7jFbb
— JvilleJags (@jvillian_jags) January 28, 2023
The NFL has also fined the Chiefs defensive lineman Khalen Saunders $6,632 for roughing the Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence in the same game. But the hit on Mahomes was serious, and it took him out of the game for a while. But Henne stepped up to fill those shoes and held the fort.
AFC championship game, again
The Chiefs are through to the AFC championship game. They will take on the Cincinnati Bengals, the team that sent them packing at the same stage. The Chiefs have reached the Super Bowl twice in the last three seasons. And he surely wants to do it again.
The Chiefs’ QB picked up a high ankle sprain against the Jaguars. Although the Chiefs believe he will play against the Bengals on Sunday. But it may affect his game and subsequently his team in the crunch battle for a place in the Super Bowl. Can he go and overcome the Joe Burrow challenge?
WATCH THIS STORY: Tom Brady calls Kansas City Chiefs superstar QB Patrick Mahomes overrated
Written by
Edited by
Deepika Bhaduri