Patrick Mahomes started strong, ended fast and overcame two interceptions as the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the New York Jets, 23-20, in a "Sunday Night Football" game that drew new fans interested in Taylor Swift's attendance.
The prime-time game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, drew a host of A-list celebrities, led by Swift, the rumored girlfriend of star Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce.
He had a relatively quiet night by his lofty standards, catching six passes for 60 yards. Kelce did haul in two grabs for 15 yards on the Chiefs drive that ended in Harrison Butker's 26-yard field goal, which broke a 20-20 tie early in the fourth quarter.
The game appeared to be a blowout with Kansas City racing to a 17-0 lead after one quarter. Mahomes threw a 34-yard TD to Noah Gray, and Isiah Pacheco, an alum of nearby Rutgers University, burst through the Jets' line for a 48-yard scoring run.
But the Jets' defense rattled Mahomes for much of the game, recording a safety and intercepting him twice to tie it, 20-20.
Much-maligned Jets QB Zach Wilson played a solid game, but his fourth-quarter fumble helped Kansas City seal the win. Mahomes scrambled for a 9-yard gain on third-and-8 in the final moments, allowing Kansas City to run out the clock.
The closer-than-expected game most likely drew viewers who don't ordinarily tune in for football, thanks to Swift's attendance.
Dedicated Swift fans immediately identified the denim shorts she wore to the game, and the shorts were soon sold out.
The shorts appear to be the “Logo Lettering Denim Shorts” from the brand AREA and cost $528.
What you missed during the game
- With Taylor Swift in the house, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Jets 23-20 in a surprisingly close contest.
- The Chiefs-Jets game was an A-list affair as Swift, Sophie Turner, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman were in the same luxury suite. Other boldface names in the crowd included Paul Rudd, Jeremy Strong and Shawn Levy.
- This had been one of the circle-your-calendar dates when schedule makers set this QB battle between the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and the New York Jets’ Aaron Rodgers. But the air was let out of the balloon on Sept. 11, the first Monday night of the season, when Rodgers tore an Achilles tendon.
- The hype factor got an unexpected boost a week ago when Swift attended the Chiefs’ game against the Chicago Bears. Her attendance at Arrowhead Stadium renewed long-running rumors of a budding love story between the pop superstar and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
'SNF' going to California; Chiefs (and maybe Taylor) visit Vikings
Week 4's edition of "Sunday Night Football" is in the books with fans now looking forward to the upcoming epic confrontation between the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys.
Other fans might be more interested in the Kansas City Chiefs, who will pay a visit to the Minnesota Vikings at 4:25 p.m. ET.
The Chiefs' record is 3-1, and the Vikings stand at 1-3.
The Chiefs-Vikings game will be televised by CBS. The regions that will get that game on TV won't be known until later this week.
NBC prime-time viewers will be treated to a battle of two iconic franchises with a rematch of a playoff game last season when the Niners eliminated the Cowboys, 19-12.
That loss still stings Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who appeared to be annoyed with a reporter who asked him today about the loss eight months ago.
"We're so far past that, to be honest with you, that's obvious," Prescott said after Dallas' 38-3 win over the New England Patriots. "You just want to piss me off going into this weekend? I appreciate that."
San Francisco heads into the game at 4-0, while Dallas is 3-1.
Chiefs win; bettors going big on Kelce didn't
All the eyes that weren't on Swift were probably on her possible boyfriend Kelce, and he had a relatively quiet night.
Gamblers betting on Kelce's performance could have wagered "over" or "under" passes caught (6.5) or total yards (72.5). He was under on both at 60.
Bookmakers at Caesars offered gamblers a "Love Story" single-game parlay with romantics offered 2-to-1 odds for Kelce to total at least 72.5 receiving yards and score a TD. He didn't do either.
Undefeated with Swift
Final score: Kansas City Chiefs 23, New York Jets 20
Mahomes scrambled for 9 yards on third-and-8 to ice the game. He chose to slide rather than score another touchdown.
After that play, with the game mathematically done, the Jets were flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct as coach Robert Saleh was still fuming from a key call moments earlier.
The Chiefs were faced with third-and-20 from the Jets’ 40 when Mahomes appeared to toss an interception to Michael Carter. But Sauce Gardner was flagged for defensive holding, a 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down.
Swift and Kelce's mom hang out again
Patrick Mahomes scrambles for a first down
Big play by KC defense
In a potential game-turning play, Chiefs defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton jumped on a Wilson fumble at the Jets’ 47-yard line.
Wilson dropped a shotgun snap and Wharton pounced on it with 7:24 left in the fourth quarter.
It's a Marvel reunion at MetLife
Ant-Man, Deadpool, Wolverine and another member of the X-Men are all here. The question is, when is Marvel creating a superhero for Taylor Swift?
Chiefs might be looking to reconnect with Kelce
Kelce caught two passes in Kansas City's last drive, which ended in a tiebreaking field goal.
Mahomes found Kelce for gains of 10 and 5 yards on that last possession.
The star tight end, and Swift's close friend, now has five grabs for 52 yards.
Chiefs retake lead, 23-20
Butker hit from 26 yards out, and Kansas City retook the lead.
But once the Chiefs reached Gang Green's red zone, surrendering three points wasn't the worst outcome for New York.
