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Chiefs vs. Broncos final score: Patrick Mahomes wins first NFL start, 27-24

Patrick Mahomes gets his first win as an NFL starter in a 27-24 win over the Broncos.

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The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos 27-24 on Sunday to finish the regular season 10-6. Rookie QB Patrick Mahomes, who finished 22/35 for 284 yards and one INT, was the star of the show as Chiefs fans wanted to see a quarterback they drafted win a game for them. Why? Because that hasn't happened in over 30 years (last quarterback drafted by the Chiefs to win a game for them -- Todd Blackledge in 1987).

The Mahomes appearance was in some ways what I expected -- some bad plays (like an interception) but several throws that few others can make. As our own MNChiefsfan said recently, it's not so much about Mahomes proving he can make plays that others can't, he needs to show he can make the other more routine plays that others can. It was a good day for Mahomes.

Find final stats here.

Fourth quarter

The Broncos tied it up with 3 minutes left in the game. Overtime? Uh-oh ...

Tyler Bray’s first official NFL snap was a fumble.

WR Albert Wilson just went over 100 yards receiving for the first time in his career.

Good stuff from Chiefs LB Tanoh Kpassagnon who had a sack.

Third quarter

Chris Jones destroyed Paxton Lynch, forced a fumble and the Chiefs picked it up for a touchdown to take a 24-10 lead.

Anthony Sherman is the Chiefs top RB right now.

Second quarter

RB Akeem Hunt came up limping so the Chiefs went to FB Anthony Sherman as the running back. He got his first carry in two years.

De’Anthony Thomas injured his leg. It looked serious when he was down and he was carted off.

Whew:

Couple of bad snaps from Jordan Devey at C today.

First quarter

Mahomes threw his first INT against the Broncos. He sailed it.

Kareem Hunt is your new rushing champ — probably! He ran for a 35-yard touchdown on the Chiefs first drive against the Broncos. He was 13 yards behind leader Todd Gurley and one yard ahead of Le’Veon Bell and both of those guys are inactive today. Barring a crazy day from Le’Sean McCoy, Kareem should be the NFL’s new rushing champ.

Patrick Mahomes threw a beauty of a pass to Demetrius Harris deep down the field for his first NFL completion.

Pregame

Welcome to gameday! Or should I say Patrick Mahomes day. The Kansas City Chiefs are resting many of their starters for today’s Week 17 matchup with the Denver Broncos and that means Patrick Mahomes will start for them at QB. Beth Mowins and Jay Feely are on the call for CBS at 3:25 p.m. (Arrowhead Time) this afternoon!

For the Chiefs, it’s an opportunity to get a win with a quarterback they drafted for the first time since ... September 1987. 30 years! (Check AP Instagram for a fun look back at what we were doing then)

The game doesn’t mean anything in the standings for the 9-6 Chiefs because they have already clinched the AFC West title and are locked into the No. 4 seed (where they are likely but not certain to play the Ravens if they beat the Bengals today).

The Chiefs will rest a lot of their starters on offense and defense so the Broncos are 4.5-point favorites in this game where they are starting their second-year QB Paxton Lynch.

Nuts and bolts

Location: Some Corporate Stadium, Denver, Colorado

Game time: Sunday, December 31, 2017, 3:25 p.m. (Arrowhead Time)

TV channel: CBS (Do I get the game?)

Online streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket | NFL Game Pass (Free 7-Day Trial) | CBS All Access

Radio: 101.1 The Fox (Mitch Holthus and Kendall Gammon) | Spanish Radio Broadcast: KCZZ 1480 AM (Tico Sports) | Full listings

Matchup history: Chiefs lead all-time series 60-54

Odds: Broncos are 4.5-point favorites

Prediction: Chiefs 27 Broncos 24

Announcers: Beth Mowins, Jay Feely

Enemy blog: Mile High Report

Twitter: @ArrowheadPride

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Chiefs 2017 schedule

  1. Chiefs 42 Patriots 27
  2. Eagles 20 Chiefs 27
  3. Chiefs 24 Chargers 10
  4. Redskins 20 Chiefs 29
  5. Chiefs 42 Texans 34
  6. Steelers 19 Chiefs 13
  7. Chiefs 30 Raiders 31
  8. Broncos 19 Chiefs 29
  9. Chiefs 17 Cowboys 28
  10. Bye
  11. Chiefs 9 Giants 12
  12. Bills 16 Chiefs 10
  13. Chiefs 31 Jets 38
  14. Raiders 15 Chiefs 26
  15. Chargers 13 Chiefs 30
  16. Dolphins 13 Chiefs 29
  17. at Broncos, 12/31, 3:25 pm, CBS

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