KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the first 30 minutes on Monday night, even Chiefs coach Andy Reid could hardly believe what he was watching.
“It was just weird,” Reid said afterward, shaking his head. “There wasn’t much punting, but there weren’t many points either. That doesn’t usually go together.”
The first half against Washington was a chaotic mess — turnovers, failed fourth-down tries, and misfires from both offenses. But once the second half began, Kansas City looked every bit like the team that’s dominated the AFC in recent years.
Patrick Mahomes rebounded from two early interceptions to throw for 299 yards and three touchdowns, Kareem Hunt scored twice, and the Chiefs’ defense locked in after halftime to turn a tie game into a commanding 28–7 victory on a chilly night at Arrowhead Stadium.
Mahomes and Kelce Make History
After a shaky start, Mahomes was nearly flawless in the final two quarters. One of his touchdown passes found longtime teammate Travis Kelce, tying the tight end with Priest Holmes for the most career touchdowns in franchise history (83). Another score went to Rashee Rice, who caught nine passes for 93 yards in just his second game back from a six-game suspension.
“I think it shows how much we’ve grown,” Mahomes said. “We didn’t start the way we wanted, but we kept fighting and played our kind of football.”
Commanders Falter on the Road
Washington quarterback Marcus Mariota, starting in place of the injured Jayden Daniels (hamstring), finished with 213 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions as the Commanders fell to 3–5 overall and 1–4 away from home.
Terry McLaurin, returning from a quad injury, hauled in three passes for 54 yards and a touchdown but appeared to aggravate the injury late in the game. Deebo Samuel, playing through a bruised heel, caught just three passes.
“It was a tale of two halves,” McLaurin said. “We had chances early, but we didn’t take advantage. Against a team like that, you can’t miss opportunities.”
Sloppy Start, Strong Finish
The opening half was a carousel of miscues.
Mariota’s first drive ended with an interception after a ball bounced off Samuel’s hands. Mahomes answered with a pick of his own on Kansas City’s first possession. Then both teams failed on fourth-down conversions before Mahomes was intercepted again — this time off a deflection from Kelce’s hands.
Through five drives, the teams combined for two turnovers apiece and no points.
Finally, the Chiefs broke through with a 72-yard touchdown drive, only for Washington to respond with a 66-yard march capped by McLaurin’s toe-tapping touchdown that was initially ruled incomplete but overturned on review.
“We started strong,” Mariota said. “But if you don’t finish your drives against Kansas City, eventually they’ll make you pay.”
Chiefs Take Control
Kansas City, favored by 12½ points according to BetMGM, looked like itself again after the break.
The Chiefs opened the third quarter with an 80-yard drive capped by Hunt’s second touchdown. After a quick defensive stop, Kelce’s record-tying score finished another 75-yard march, putting Kansas City firmly in control.
“Kelce is the definition of a Chief,” Mahomes said. “He built the standard here.”
The knockout blow came midway through the fourth quarter when the Chiefs pieced together a grueling 13-play, 94-yard drive — extended to 119 yards thanks to penalties — that ended with Rice’s 18-yard touchdown.
That sealed Kansas City’s fifth straight game with at least 28 points and its ninth consecutive win over Washington, dating back to 1983.
Reid Praises Team’s Resilience
“It’s hard to score in this league,” Reid said. “So when you do, you appreciate it. What I liked tonight was the mental toughness — fighting through the highs and lows. That’s what good teams do.”
Injury Report
Washington: Kicker Matthew Wright replaced Matt Gay (back). LT Laremy Tunsil left with a hamstring injury on the first series. DT Jer’Zhan Newton hurt his ankle but returned.
Kansas City: OG Trey Smith was inactive due to a back issue.
What’s Next:
Commanders: Host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night.
Chiefs: Travel to Buffalo for an AFC Championship rematch the same day.
