The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Miami Dolphins on Saturday night to advance to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, 26-7.
Patrick Mahomes was once again the key difference maker in the game and stepped up when the team needed him most. The real highlight of the night came at the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) is congratulated by wide receiver Justin Watson, left, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes after scoring against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of a football game of the NFL Wild Card playoffs on Saturday, January 13, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) runs in front of Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler (92) during the first half of an NFL Wild Card Playoff football game on Saturday January 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
He converted on third down twice and took a tough passer call on Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to extend the drive. After the penalty, the Chiefs only needed four plays to reach the end zone. Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco finished with a touchdown on a direct snap.
The campaign underscored how surgical the Chiefs had to be in -8 degrees. Four of the Chiefs' five scoring drives occurred when the team ran at least nine plays. They scored just before halftime on a 32-yard field goal by Harrison Butker. It took seven plays to score.
Mahomes was 23-for-41 with 262 passing yards and an early touchdown pass to Rashee Rice. He had a couple of decent runs during the game, one of which left him with a broken helmet. Still, he had 41 rushing yards on eight carries.
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs heads to the sideline after his helmet was broken during the third quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoffs against the Miami Dolphins at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)
CHIEFS ARE ANGRY AFTER NFL OFFICIALS FAIL TO THROW THE FLAG TO THE DOLPHINS IN CRITICAL GAME
Pacheco led the team in rushing with 88 yards on 24 carries. Rice had eight receptions for 130 yards.
Travis Kelce, who had Taylor Swift in the booth to watch him, finished with seven catches for 71 yards. It was the most receptions he has had in a single game since he had seven against the Philadelphia Eagles in November.
Tua Tagovailoa put the Dolphins on the board in the second quarter. He threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill. But that was the biggest offense they had in the game.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) passes against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL wild card playoff football game on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri . (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Tagovailoa had 199 passing yards. Hill finished with five catches for 62 yards.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Chiefs are back in the divisional round. It's unclear who the team will play, but they had not lost in the divisional round in the Mahomes era. The team has played in five consecutive AFC Championship Games.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage in X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
