Patrick Mahomes threw for two touchdowns as the Kansas City Chiefs bounced back to beat the Miami Dolphins 21-14 in the NFL’s International Series game in Frankfurt on Sunday.
The Chiefs, who suffered a shock defeat to the Denver Broncos last week, looked to be cruising to victory after roaring into a 21-0 first-half lead at the Waldstadion.
Mahomes had given the Chiefs the lead after finding Rashee Rice for an 11-yard completion for the opening touchdown in the first quarter.
Mahomes then found Jerick McKinnon for a touchdown in the second quarter to cap a 13-play, 95-yard drive that took the Chiefs into a 14-0 lead.
Kansas City’s ferocious defense then set up a touchdown in the closing seconds of the half, forcing a fumble from Miami’s former Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill before recovering the ball at the 37-yard line.
Chiefs safety Mike Edwards flipped a lateral pass to Bryan Cook, who sprinted 59 yards down the sideline into the end zone to make it 21-0.
Miami came out for the second half on a mission, and hit back to make it a one-score game with touchdowns from Cedrick Wilson Jr and Raheem Mostert in the third quarter.
But the Miami comeback stalled in the fourth quarter just when the Dolphins threatened to grab the game-tying score.
After moving the ball to the Kansas City 31-yard line, the Dolphins failed to advance any further, and turned over on fourth down when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa fumbled a wayward snap.
“I’m always going to blame myself — I’ve got to catch the ball,” a disappointed Tagovailoa said after the defeat. “Can’t end the game like that when you have an opportunity against a really good team.”
Mahomes, who finished with 185 passing yards from 20-of-30 attempts with no interceptions, saluted the Chiefs’ defense after the win.
“Another great football game and I’m glad we came out with a win … When we’ve got a defense like that I can trust that we will find a way to win football games,” Mahomes said.
“This defense is legit, it’s real and everyone’s going to see it. I think they’re the best defense in the NFL.”
The Chiefs’ victory carried extra significance for the reigning Super Bowl champions, lifting them to 7-2 at the top of the AFC West.
Miami fell to 6-3 with the defeat, leaving them one game ahead of Buffalo who play later Sunday in Cincinnati.
Other games in the NFL on Sunday include a blockbuster NFC East divisional clash between the Dallas Cowboys (5-2) against the league-leading Philadelphia Eagles (7-1).
