NFL fans watched in suspense Saturday as MVP frontrunner Patrick Mahomes went down with an injury that seemed it could drastically impact the league’s playoff landscape. 

With fewer than two minutes left in the first quarter, Mahomes suffered an ankle injury while caught between two Jacksonville Jaguars defenders. 

Mahomes took a brief seat on the bench and gestured to athletic trainers for some sort of wrap during the timeout. As the whistle blew, Mahomes immediately leaped past the trainers and hobbled onto the field. 

Mahomes finished the drive which ended in a field goal, then implored Kansas City Chiefs coaches and trainers to continue playing.

“I’m not gonna come out of a playoff game unless they take me out,” Mahomes later said. 

Chiefs’ staff did take him out, Mahomes would sit out the remainder of the first half until his X-rays returned negative and proved he could protect himself. 

Mahomes began Saturday’s game hot, but his play after the injury was all the more legendary.

Santana Moss, a former NFL receiver, once said, “Big-time players step up in big-time games.” Mahomes and Travis Kelce continued their exemplification of Moss’ statement Saturday while setting the standard for their Kansas City teammates. 

Kelce finished the day with a career-high 14 catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Mahomes had just 195 yards and the two touchdowns to Kelce Saturday, but his willingness to create in the pocket while in immense pain pushed Kansas City to victory. 

The Chiefs took advantage of all opportunities for big plays, spoiling the Jaguars’ hopes of another comeback on two occasions. The first was a recovered fumble from a Jamal Agnew catch. The second was when former WSU defensive back Jaylen Watson completed a one-handed, leaping interception.

With one final chance to tie the game, Jacksonville attempted an onside kick, which the Chiefs recovered. 

Kansas City will face the Cincinnati Bengals 3:30 Sunday in Kansas City for a trip to the Super Bowl.