Patrick Mahomes threw for a touchdown and rookie Isiah Pacheco rushed for another to fuel the host Kansas City Chiefs to a 26-10 victory over the injury-riddled Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Mahomes connected on 27 of 42 of his passing attempts for 320 yards. He completed passes to 10 different receivers and Harrison Butker made four field goals to send the Chiefs (9-2) to their fifth straight win.
Tight end Travis Kelce reeled in a 39-yard scoring pass in the first quarter for his 12th touchdown reception of the season. Kelce finished with four catches for 57 yards.
Pacheco rushed up the middle for a 3-yard touchdown in the third quarter. The rushing touchdown was his second of the season and first since Kansas City's 44-21 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 11.
Los Angeles' Bryce Perkins threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Van Jefferson and had a team-high 44 rushing yards while making his first career NFL start. Perkins was playing in place of the injured Matthew Stafford (neck, concussion) for the Rams (3-8), who mustered just 198 total yards of offense en route to losing their fifth straight game.
To add injury to insult, Los Angeles coach Sean McVay absorbed an inadvertent shot to the jaw from the helmet of Roger Carter Jr. as the rookie tight end checked into the game.
Kelce fended off would-be tacklers before crossing the goal line to open the scoring with 5:40 to play in the first quarter. His touchdown reception capped a nine-play, 90-yard drive.
Matt Gay kicked a 47-yard field goal to begin the second quarter before Butker drilled kicks from 27 and 32 yards out to stake Kansas City to a 13-3 lead at halftime.
Pacheco extended the advantage midway into the third quarter to finish a 12-play, 71-yard drive.
The Rams trimmed the Chiefs' lead to 20-10 on the ensuing possession, with Jefferson's catch over the middle capping a 14-play, 75-yard drive.
L'Jarius Sneed intercepted Perkins to set up the first of Butker's two 22-yard field goals in the fourth quarter.
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