Copyright The New York Times
By Jesse Newell, Nicki Jhabvala and Amos Morale III The Kansas City Chiefs opened the second half of their “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Washington Commanders with three consecutive touchdown drives en route to a 28-7 victory at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs (5-3) emerged from the locker room with the score tied at 7. However, quarterback Patrick Mahomes led Kansas City on an eight-play, 80-yard touchdown drive to start the third quarter. The Chiefs followed with scoring drives that ended with touchdown passes to tight end Travis Kelce and receiver Rashee Rice. Kansas City’s defense found its stride in the second half as well. The Chiefs held the Commanders — who were playing without star quarterback Jayden Daniels because of a hamstring injury — to 66 yards of offense in the third and fourth quarters. Nearly flawless It took a while to clean up some mistakes, but the Chiefs offense couldn’t have played much better coming out of the halftime break. Kansas City’s first three drives out of the locker room? Touchdown, touchdown, touchdown. The Chiefs averaged 8.9 yards per play while executing those 80-, 75- and 94-yard scoring drives. Mahomes appeared to be toying with the Commanders defense on the third of those drives, wheeling for no-look sidearm passes and dancing around the pocket to move defenders while playing the world’s highest form of backyard football. It was a reminder — after a two-interception first half — of just how dangerous this Chiefs offense can be with all its receivers healthy and Rice back from a six-game suspension. — Jesse Newell, Chiefs beat writer Clutch again The Chiefs defense continued a season-long trend of allowing some yardage but coming through in critical moments. That was especially true in the first half, when the Commanders averaged a healthy 6.1 yards per play but were held to 7 points thanks to a timely interception from defensive end Mike Danna and two other fourth-down stops. According to TruMedia, the Chiefs became just the second team this season (joining the Los Angeles Rams) to allow 7 points or fewer in consecutive games. Kansas City’s defense hadn’t accomplished that feat since the 2019 season. — Newell Not hurting his cause Though Mahomes had a two-interception first half (one was deflected off Kelce’s hands), he didn’t hurt his odds of winning MVP, thanks to a dominant second half. Mahomes, who entered the season as the sportsbook favorite for the award ahead of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, was spectacular in the final 30 minutes, displaying his full arsenal of passes and runs while showing off for a national TV audience. Mahomes completed 25 of 34 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions. He and the Chiefs travel to face Allen and the Bills on Sunday. — Newell
