NFL play-offs: Kansas City Chiefs beat Houston Texans after coming back from 24-0 down

On tight end Travis Kelce, who finished the game with a hamstring injury after taking three touchdown passes, Mahomes said: “Travis was amazing, man he’s a monster.

“The way he came through with an injury and was still making plays all day long – he’s a special football player.”

Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson connected with Kenny Stills and Darren Fells, and Lonnie Johnson ran in a blocked punt as the visitors raced into a 21-point first-quarter lead.

But Damien Williams scored the first of his three touchdowns five minutes into the second quarter to spark a Chiefs resurgence, with Mahomes finishing with five touchdown passes, 321 passing and 56 rushing yards.

The Texans stopped the rot with the Chiefs leading 41-24 in the third quarter as Watson scored a five-yard rushing touchdown to get the margin within 10.

But the Chiefs extended their lead, Blake Bell adding another touchdown, to leave them one game away from their first Super Bowl appearance since 1970.