When Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered an injury on the Chiefs second possession, all hope was lost. The possession before looked like the sign of things to come until that point.

However, it didn’t last long. Mahomes returned for the second half and did enough to lead the Chiefs to a 27-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. This secured their fifth consecutive AFC Championship Game appearance, a feat only accomplished by John Madden’s Raiders and the Tom Brady-led Patriots.

When 37-year-old backup quarterback Chad Henne checked into the game, the Chiefs had a 10-7 lead and the entire offense needed to be adjusted. Fortunately for the Chiefs, a 39-yard run by running back Isaiah Pacheco put the Chiefs at the goal line. The drive was capped off with a 4-yard touchdown pass caught by tight end Travis Kelce.

A field goal by the Jaguars made the score 17-10 at halftime. Once the second half resumed, both teams punted twice. Mahomes’ return was unable to provide a spark for the stagnant Chiefs offense. After two subpar possessions, a 27-yard pass to tight end Noah Gray put the Chiefs in field goal range. This did enough for the Chiefs to kick a field goal and extend their lead to 10.

The Jaguars would not go down without a fight. A scramble from quarterback Trevor Lawrence helped the Jaguars convert a third down after taking a sack on the first play of the drive. A 37-yard pass from Lawrence to wide receiver Zay Jones put the Jaguars in the red zone. The possession was capped off with a 4-yard touchdown run from running back Travis Etienne.

On the next Chiefs possession, Mahomes began to look like himself. Multiple completions to Kelce put the Chiefs into Jaguars territory. A 14-yard run from wide receiver Kadarius Toney put the Chiefs at the Jaguars 3-yard line. A touchdown pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling extended the Chiefs lead to 27-17.

In the last seven minutes of the game, the Chiefs defense began to take over. After allowing a Trevor Lawrence scramble that put the Jaguars at the goal line, the Chiefs defense forced a fumble after a catch was made by Jamal Agnew. The fumble was recovered by linebacker Nick Bolton at the Chiefs three yard line.

A three and out on the Chiefs next offensive possession gave the Jaguars another chance to cut the lead. Two plays later, a pass from Lawrence was intercepted by Jalen Waston. A punt from the Chiefs offense gave the Jaguars the football back. A field goal made it a 27-20 ballgame but a failed onside kick gave the Chiefs the victory.