Jeremy Maclin is ACTIVE for today’s game

Former Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, now with the Chiefs, played despite an ankle injury that kept him out of practice last week.

The reigning AFC East-champion New England Patriots enjoyed a bye to begin the playoffs – and by all accounts, so did the red-hot Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs will also have running back Spencer Ware, who is active with an ankle sprain suffered last weekend against Houston.

The Chiefs were trying to get to the AFC championship game for the first time since the 1993 season, but there were simply too many mistakes – the type Kansas City rarely made during its franchise-record streak.

Amazingly, the Chiefs were situated at the Patriots’ 1-yard line with just under three minutes remaining in the game, and they ended up getting off just ONE snap before the two-minute warning. Maclin’s availability for the divisional round game remains day-to-day and head coach Andy Reid said it would likely be a game-day decision if his leading receiver will be on the field. Then early this afternoon, Darlington’s colleague Ian Rapoport reported that Maclin was struggled to walk earlier in the week. The shifty wideout helped the offense average 418.6 yards and 33.6 points during the team’s 9-0 start to the season, as opposed to 317.5 and 23.1 without him (3-4). It was initially feared that he tore his ACL, but later revealed that he was day-to-day with a high ankle sprain. He did not practice Wednesday, was limited Thursday and was a full participant Friday. When the Patriots recovered the ensuing onside kick and picked up a first down thanks to a wacky tip play, the game ended. The veterans know the score here, and both want to play. Defensive lineman Allen Bailey had two sacks last week against the Texans, while defensive tackle Jaye Howard added another.

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (12-4): Tom Brady threw for 4,770 yards this season, but the veteran quarterback may find the going tough against All-Pro safety Eric Berry, as well as cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Sean Smith.

Sam McPherson is a freelance writer covering baseball, football, basketball, golf, hockey and fantasy sports for CBS, AXS and Examiner.