Kansas City - 30, Houston - 24
Q. Jerick, what was your thought process of seeing the fumble being recovered, and what was your message to the guys before the game-winning touchdown?
JERICK MCKINNON: When we was on defense and caused the fumble? It happened so fast, we were just trying to get our thoughts together on the previous drive. I don't know who made the fumble. Was it Frank?
Q. Yeah, Frank caused it.
JERICK MCKINNON: We were just looking for the opportunity because in that specific situation, as offensive leaders, you definitely want to go down and score and make it hard. So it was great for Frank to give us a chance to win the game.
So we got the ball back. Everybody was just like we need to score. Sometimes when we get in that position this year, we field goal or just wasn't satisfied with the outcome.
It was great blocking, man. I didn't even get touched on the play. They made it easy for me, man. So shout out to everybody.
Q. At what point did you know you were going to score? Once you got the ball?
JERICK MCKINNON: No. We were coming into the huddle, and obviously we were running the four-minute ball and stacking the box. So it was a little tough. Pat was like, he looked at me, and he said, two hands on the ball. Let's go. I said, I'm about to score. (Laughter).
JuJu looked at me. He said, I got your block, bro. Find me when you get out there. It worked out exactly like that. I made it to the second level, and I literally ran off of JuJu's block, and I was able to score. It's just crazy it worked out like that, man. Power to timing. It's crazy.
Q. I talked to you a couple of weeks ago about the guys relying on the slow start to come back. Today was another one of those games. Was the message any different going into halftime?
JERICK MCKINNON: No, but like I said before, for us to come out and start slow in games, it's definitely not who we are. It's not our identity. It's not what we want. But along the course of the season, things happen.
It's not pretty. It's not the nicest, but we find a way to win, and that's all that matters. When you come out to win, it's much better when you look back at the tape versus being on the other side.
We're just thankful for the opportunity to win the game, have a chance to win the game, and come out victorious.
Q. As a vet in that running back room, what was your message to Pacheco after he had that fumble?
JERICK MCKINNON: I just told him to keep his head up. We're all human. Millions of players fumble on offense.
I've fumbled on offense. My message to him was bounce back. The great ones respond. He definitely has the ability to be great in this league.
That was my message. Keeping it human. We're all human. We make mistakes, but the great ones respond. Show me you're great. He always answers, man.
He brings so much energy, man. The guys, we love him.
Q. What does it mean to you to win the AFC West title?
JERICK MCKINNON: It's a blessing. This is my second year with the team, two AFC West championships. It's a blessing. I was just talking to the people outside, and said, some guys go their whole career and never win a division, never make the playoffs. When you have the opportunity to be in this moment, you've got to enjoy it. You've got to cherish it because everybody doesn't get the opportunity.
So it's just a blessing to be here, play on this team, this coaching staff, and be in this position.
Q. You were talking about at times it was a little chippy here and there. Pat took some big hits. Talk about the hits from your perspective of him being thrown to the ground and stuff? Was it a little extra at times?
JERICK MCKINNON: I mean, they're always extra, but Pat, he's tough. Mentally tough, physically tough. And above all, he's one of the greatest competitors that I've played with. You see it on tape. You've seen it today. You've seen it throughout the season.
To be on offense with a guy like that, a leader like that is definitely amazing. He's tough, man. It shows.
Q. Speaking of Pat, you mentioned his competitiveness. Last week it was not his best outing. Did you notice a difference this week?
JERICK MCKINNON: He's always striving to be better no matter what type of game he has. He comes in Monday, right to the next. How can he be better? The thing about him, no matter what the score is, no matter how many points we're down, how many points we're up, he wants to have his foot on the gas the whole time.
That's one of the things I respect and love about him the most.
Q. You were talking about sort of Isiah's struggles. Obviously Harrison was trying to play through his own injury this season. What's it mean for the guys to pick him up in his situation? Does anybody say anything to Harrison?
JERICK MCKINNON: We've all got to pick each other up. 17 weeks is a long season. Nobody's perfect. We all make mistakes. We're all human.
We have the utmost belief in But that he's going to make those field goals. He's been so clutch for us in the past. If he goes out and misses a field goal, cool, onto the next. We've got to find a way to pick up. Offense, we've got to score some more points. Defense, we've got to make some more stops.
This team, the chemistry is so tight, the bond is so tight. I think you see that in the play, in the film, you see it week in and week out. No matter what the struggles, we find a way to overcome, and we find a way to play team ball.
Q. I asked this Coach, and I'll ask you because you're a nine-year veteran. There's so many veterans on this team, but ten rookies on this roster. From your point of view, how have you seen this combination work to still win a divisional title?
JERICK MCKINNON: It's a good mix. It's definitely been amazing to watch those young guys come in and learn at camp, try to figure it out. A lot of those guys were curious how the older guys take care of their bodies. They have a lot of questions.
To see them progress throughout camp and along the course of the season has definitely been amazing. Like you said, it's ten rookies. A lot of rookies making plays for us. You got Pacheco, B. Cook played on defense, McDuffie, J. Wat, J. Will, George. There's a lot of guys, man. Skyy, and the list goes on and on.
Those guys, the more reps they get, the better they're going to get. As that goes, the more confident they get.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports