© Getty ImagesThe Chiefs help Patrick Mahomes to his feet
Two separate Patrick Mahomes issues gave the Kansas City Chiefs serious cause for concern even as they beat the Cleveland Browns 22-17 to return to the AFC Championship Game.
The defending Super Bowl champions are now one win away from returning to the NFL's showpiece event but will spend the coming days worrying over superstar quarterback Mahomes' status after he exited this game with concussion, having already gone down with a toe injury.
Sunday's success proved far more testing than might have been expected as the Chiefs, led by Mahomes, got off to a typically dominant start, making the most of their full array of offensive weapons in a 10-play, 75-yard opening drive that ended with the QB running in from a yard.
The Browns were restricted to a field goal in response and Mahomes then found Travis Kelce - a boyhood Cleveland fan - for a second Kansas City score.
But Mahomes soon required treatment on his toe and the Chiefs' momentum waned, fortunate to stretch their lead through two field goals heading into halftime as a touchback cost the Browns, with Daniel Sorensen's hit - seemingly led with the helmet - forcing a fumble from Rashard Higgins through the end zone.
Even as Tyrann Mathieu picked off a Baker Mayfield pass at the start of the second half, Cleveland came again and the QB connected with Jarvis Landry for a first TD.
Mahomes was soon heading for the locker room after taking a big hit from Mack Wilson and struggling to regain his balance, with confirmation following that he would not return shortly before Kareem Hunt's three-yard run completed an 18-play, 75-yard TD drive to reduce the deficit to five points.
Veteran backup Chad Henne was called in for Kansas City and promptly followed up a pair of promising passes with an end-zone interception, giving the ball back to Mayfield in the fourth quarter.
However, an epic back-and-forth saw the Browns forced to punt with under four minutes remaining, and Henne came up with two huge plays inside the two-minute warning as head coach Andy Reid gambled on a pass from fourth and inches to clinch victory and a Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills with a vital first down.
Turning point - Henne the hero... just
It briefly appeared as though Henne might have cost the Chiefs when he threw a pick that gave Mayfield the opportunity to lead the Browns back down the field. But Kansas City survived a thrilling fourth-quarter rollercoaster as their defense came up with a big stop, forcing a punt that allowed Henne to be the hero.
A run from third and 14 brought Henne to within inches of a decisive first down, before coach Reid put his faith in the QB to take a snap and find Tyreek Hill to end the game.
Home comforts once again
With or without Mahomes, the Bills will provide a tough test. But the Chiefs will enjoy home comforts in a third consecutive conference championship, becoming just the second team to achieve that feat - after Reid's Philadelphia Eagles from 2002 to 2004.
They will now hope to have Mahomes available to continue his outstanding postseason form, having joined Steve Young as the only players in NFL history to have both passing and rushing TDs in three straight playoff games.
What's next?
Buffalo will head to Arrowhead next Sunday, eagerly awaiting news of Mahomes' fitness for another mammoth encounter.