Kansas City, MO — In a performance that embodied both resilience and championship pedigree, Patrick Mahomes powered the Kansas City Chiefs to a 28–7 victory over the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football. What began as arguably the most troubling start of his star-studded career quickly morphed into another reminder of why Mahomes remains one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league.
The opening quarter was anything but flattering for the two-time MVP. Mahomes threw interceptions on each of Kansas City’s first two drives, marking the first time in his NFL career he opened a game with consecutive turnovers. Head coach Andy Reid later described the half as “weird,” and fans inside Arrowhead Stadium felt the unease—if only for a moment. Once the dust settled, Mahomes found rhythm, and the Chiefs offense began to operate with the familiar chemistry that has defined the Reid-Mahomes era.
Kansas City drew first blood in the second quarter when running back Kareem Hunt punched in a one-yard touchdown run with just under six minutes remaining before halftime. Washington responded almost immediately. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota delivered a crisp scoring strike to wideout Terry McLaurin, tying the game at 7–7 and briefly silencing the crowd. For a team missing its young star quarterback Jayden Daniels due to a hamstring injury, the Commanders showed flashes of life—but only in the first half.
The second half told a much different story. The Chiefs answered with 21 unanswered points, steamrolling their way to a comfortable win behind Mahomes’ renewed composure. He finished the night with 299 passing yards and three touchdown throws—connecting with Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice and Hunt through the air. The numbers don’t tell the full story; the quarterback’s ability to reset after adversity demonstrated the psychological fortitude Kansas City will need as the schedule stiffens.
“We didn’t start the way we wanted to, but I’m proud of how guys settled down,” Mahomes told reporters postgame. “Offense, defense—everybody kept improving throughout the night. It shows the growth of this team. We’ll need to keep getting better every week.”
For Kansas City, the win pushes them to a 5–3 record, marking the team’s fifth victory in its last six contests after an 0–2 skid alarmed analysts early this fall. With key offensive weapons returning, the Chiefs appear to be rounding into form. Rashee Rice rejoined the lineup after serving a six-game suspension, while rookie burner Xavier Worthy is finally healthy. Their speed stretched Washington’s defense horizontally, creating valuable space for Travis Kelce to do what he does best.
Kelce proved once again why he continues to be the NFL’s premier tight end. The 36-year-old hauled in six receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown. His score placed him in elite company—tying him with Chiefs legend Priest Holmes for most touchdowns in franchise history (83) and making him just the fifth tight end ever to reach 80 career touchdown catches.
Given the firepower Kansas City showcased Monday, skepticism about their sluggish September may already be fading. But tougher tests loom. The Chiefs head to Buffalo in Week 9—one of the league’s most hostile environments—before traveling to Denver after a bye week. They will then host the surging Indianapolis Colts, a team that has quietly emerged as a legitimate AFC contender.
“This stretch will really challenge us,” Mahomes acknowledged. “We’ve got to start faster, especially on the road. But I loved how we responded tonight.”
As for Washington, their third loss in four games drops them to 3–5 and magnifies concerns around their offense. Without Daniels—whose dual-threat mobility has been a lifeline—the Commanders struggled to threaten Kansas City’s secondary, and their run game sputtered, producing just 60 yards on the ground. Mariota threw for one touchdown but also added two costly interceptions, both products of Kansas City’s disguised pressure.
Head coach Dan Quinn didn’t sugarcoat the situation.
“We have to be better in the trenches,” he said. “Missing a quarterback doesn’t excuse fundamentals. We need to clean up execution.”
Considering Washington’s appearance in last season’s NFC Championship Game, the current trajectory marks a disappointing regression. Yet, the organization remains confident that getting Daniels healthy will shift momentum down the stretch. With no timetable announced, his recovery will be watched closely.
Defensively, Washington hung tough early but crumbled under sustained pressure. Their inability to generate consistent third-down stops allowed Kansas City to control possession and dictate tempo. Once Mahomes found his groove, the outcome felt inevitable.
Monday night served as a compelling snapshot of two franchises trending in opposite directions: one rediscovering rhythm, another searching for answers.
And for Kansas City, adversity wasn’t a roadblock—it was merely a speed bump.