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Inside the moment Patrick Mahomes passed the test he was waiting to take

Patrick Mahomes made a triumphant return to action exactly nine months after suffering torn ACL and LCL ligaments in a December 14 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. Starting in the Week 1 Monday Night Football finale at Arrowhead Stadium, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback guided his squad to a commanding 31-10 blowout victory against the Denver Broncos.

During the team's opening possession, Mahomes shook off any lingering doubts regarding his surgically repaired left knee by rushing for a 15-yard touchdown, which tied his career-long scoring scramble in regular-season play. That highlight came immediately after an initial touchdown run was wiped out by an offensive infraction.

Mahomes finished the evening with 184 yards through the air and two passing touchdowns, though he maintained postgame that he still needed to improve his play. Kansas City also benefited heavily from newly signed free agent Kenneth Walker, who helped shoulder the offensive burden to secure the division win.