Chiefs withstand Mahomes injury, punch fifth straight AFC Championship ticket with win over Jaguars

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs probably don't want to make a habit of this, but they won a playoff game on Saturday with Patrick Mahomes on the bench for a significant portion of time because of a right ankle injury.

Backup Chad Henne was in for just one possession, not counting a kneel-down at the end of the first half. He made it count, leading a franchise playoff record 98-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter that helped the Chiefs stay in front in an eventual 27-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the divisional round.

Mahomes returned to the game in the second half and was effective, so it is expected that he will be available to play in next week's AFC Championship Game against Buffalo or Cincinnati. But the Chiefs have reason to believe they would operate efficiently if Henne has to play.

Patrick Mahomes was less than 100% in the second half but was effective enough to author another Chiefs playoff win. Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports