You history buffs out there probably know the actual Mark Twain–a.k.a. Samuel Clemens–was a proud citizen of Hannibal, Missouri. That’s approximately 210 miles from Kansas City–per Google Maps, a 3:24 drive assuming light traffic. Football fans traveling on game days should probably allow a bit more time for traffic.
After the events that unfolded before a nationwide NBC/Peacock audience that saw another stellar example of how the reports of someone’s demise being greatly exaggerated, it would be more than fitting to consider football’s version of Twain to be one Patrick Mahomes. Because as THE SPORTING NEWS’ Rodney Knuppel reported last night any thoughts of lingering effects that he might have had from last season’s devastating injury were more than put to rest:
Mahomes needed only seven words to describe how the Kansas City Chiefs survived Sunday night. “We fought until the very end,” Mahomes said during his postgame press conference. It was the perfect summary of a 33-30 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts that required every available second.
Harrison Butker kicked a 40-yard field goal as overtime expired, finally ending a game in which Indianapolis repeatedly answered Kansas City. Butker had already connected from 31 yards earlier in overtime, but the Colts responded with a field goal of their own to extend the night. That gave Mahomes and the Chiefs one final possession.
Mahomes continued attacking downfield and connected with Tyquan Thornton for a 45-yard completion that immediately changed the field. He also leaned on Kelce during the most important possessions of the night. The Colts knew where the ball was going. They simply could not produce one final stop. Mahomes’ 382 yards represented the volume of his performance. His command of the final possessions showed its actual value.
A storybook finish, indeed. And eminently more satisfying than either TOM SAWYER or HUCKLEBERRY FINN likely were to any relieved Chiefs fan.
And speaking of not-quite-dead-yet field leaders–a much more polarizing one that had all but been designated for assignment found some rejuvenation with the assistance of force mejeure earlier yesterday not all that far from where Ponce de Leon once found his own fountain of youth. Per BLEACHER REPORT’s Joe Tansey:
Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns had to wait almost two extra hours to confirm their first win of the 2026 NFL regular season. Cleveland defeated Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 23-19, in a game that was delayed just under two hours due to inclement weather in Tampa.
Watson and the Cleveland offense didn’t come alive until the second half. The Browns were down 16-6 in the third quarter before Watson ignited the come-from-behind effort. Watson hit rookie Denzel Boston for a 55-yard touchdown pass that tied the game and swung the momentum fully in the Browns’ favor. Watson threw what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown pass to Blake Whiteheart with 3:51 left in the fourth quarter.
And as Matt Harmon X-eeted just before Mayfield’s final attempt to save favor against his former employer fell short even those ready to drive Watson to the airport grudingly had to accept that’s on hold after digesting this nugget:
We’ll see if this game ever starts again but as of now, it’s pacing to be Deshaun Watson’s best game by EPA per dropback in his time with the Cleveland Browns. The Bucs defense has been really underwhelming through two weeks, especially the linebackers and underneath coverage.
Harmon’s accompanying chart showed the first 0.20 he’s achieved on that advanced metric since his breakthrough season in front of socially distanced Texans fans in 2020, and +43% better than anything he’s posted as a Brown.
But at the same time that Watson was finally showing signs of the promise he displayed when he first entered the league another ballyhooed newcomer was taking a significant step backwards, as THE ATHLETIC’s Nicki Jhabvala shared this afternoon:
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will miss Week 3’s game against the Seattle Seahawks after dislocating his left elbow Sunday, but his recovery timeline beyond that remains unclear, coach Dan Quinn said Monday. Daniels had imaging done Monday and will see specialists Tuesday and Wednesday, Quinn said. The coach declined to provide any details from Monday’s imaging, adding he likely won’t have an update until Thursday or Friday. X-rays taken at AT&T Stadium on Sunday showed Daniels suffered no fractures.
“It sucks for him,” Quinn said. “I know how much these guys put into it. So when there are setbacks like this, you just want to stand by them.” The latest one happened in the final seconds of the first half of Washington’s 37-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The Commanders had narrowed the Cowboys’ lead to a touchdown when Daniels guided them on a 15-play drive that culminated with a third-and-goal from Dallas’ 1-yard line.
Daniels was under center when left guard Chris Paul inadvertently stepped on the quarterback’s foot just as he fielded the snap and turned to roll out. Daniels stumbled to the ground and braced his fall with his left arm, causing his arm to bend inward at his elbow and leaving him reeling in pain.
Daniels dislocated the same elbow 10 months ago, in a Week 9 loss to Seattle last season. Daniels started all 20 games (playoffs included) as a rookie, but he missed a total of 10 games last year because of injuries to his elbow, knee and hamstring. He has now finished five of his last eight starts for the Commanders with injuries.
So if one is a betting person, one can’t help but feel that Daniels might be headed for yet another extended stay on the bench and the Commanders’ chances in a rapidly improving NFC East dwindling with every minute he spends on it.
Then again, Mark Twain did spend an awful lot of time in Washington during his professional life making fun of the folks who live and govern there. So maybe he can too can draw inspiration and perhaps resurrection the same way Mahomes has.
Courage…