Chiefs get past the Vikings to improve to 4-1; Travis Kelce fights through ankle injury

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KMIZ)

It wasn't always pretty, but Kansas City finished out a gutsy road win against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon, 27-20. It's the third game in 2023 that the Chiefs have edged out their opponent by eight points or less, but nonetheless KC is 4-1 on the season.

The biggest storyline of the game came just before halftime, as tight end Travis Kelce went down with a non-contact ankle injury. He was taken into the locker room for evaluation. At that point, Kansas City trailed 13-10, but kicker Harrison Butker knocked in a 40-yard field goal to tie it up heading into the locker room.

After halftime, Patrick Mahomes and company came out firing. Just a few minutes in the third quarter, the reigning MVP found rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice for a touchdown to take back a one-score lead.

The Chiefs looked to get some separation later in the third quarter. Kelce re-entered the game and played hero, as he's done so many times before. He caught what would end up being the game winning touchdown to complete a 74-yard, 11 play drive to end the third quarter.

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins and his offense did threaten that lead, as they tacked on another touchdown to make it a one-score game, once again, in the fourth quarter, but to no avail.

Mahomes finished the day 31-of-41, throwing for 281 yards and two touchdowns. However, Kelce got the praise postgame for battling through that injury. He had 10 catches for 67 yards and a touchdown on Sunday.

There is no word yet on what happened to Kelce's ankle. Head coach Andy Reid does an update every week on Monday, where we may reveal more.

Up next - Kansas City will host the 1-4 Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 12. Kickoff is at 7:15 p.m.