On Monday night, the Kansas City Chiefs secured a convincing 28-7 victory over the Washington Commanders, further extending their dominance in the series and marking another impressive performance by their star players. The game highlighted the Chiefs’ offensive prowess, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, as well as the challenges faced by the Commanders as they struggled to find consistency on both sides of the ball.
Patrick Mahomes was the centerpiece of the Chiefs’ offense, throwing for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Despite a rocky start that included two interceptions, Mahomes quickly settled into a rhythm and showcased why he is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. One of his interceptions was particularly unfortunate and not entirely his fault, yet he rebounded strongly to lead multiple scoring drives. His connection with tight end Travis Kelce was especially noteworthy. Kelce caught a touchdown pass that marked the 83rd of his career, tying him with former Chiefs star Priest Holmes for the franchise record for most touchdown receptions. This milestone underscored Kelce’s continued impact and elite status in the league.
Adding to the Chiefs’ offensive success was wide receiver Rashee Rice, who has been a bright spot since returning from a six-game suspension. Rice caught nine passes for 93 yards, providing a reliable target and helping to stretch the field. His performance was a key factor in the Chiefs’ ability to maintain sustained drives and keep the pressure on the Commanders’ defense.
The Chiefs improved to 5-3 on the season with this win, marking their fourth victory in five games. Their dominance over the Washington Commanders was further cemented as this victory extended their winning streak against Washington to nine straight games, and 11 of the last 12 meetings overall. The only loss in this series stretch came way back in September 1983, highlighting just how consistent the Chiefs have been against this particular opponent.
Reflecting on the game, Patrick Mahomes emphasized the growth and resilience of the Chiefs as a team. “I think it just shows the growth we’ve had as a team,” he said. “Even though we didn’t start the way we wanted to on offense, it showed we can battle through adversity and play the brand of football we want to play.” This sentiment captured the essence of the game, as the Chiefs overcame early setbacks to dominate the latter stages.
For the Commanders, the night was a difficult one. Marcus Mariota stepped in as the starting quarterback in place of Jayden Daniels, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in the previous week’s loss to Dallas. Mariota completed 213 yards passing and threw one touchdown but also had two interceptions, contributing to the team’s struggles. The Commanders fell to 3-5 on the season and 1-4 in away games, underscoring their ongoing challenges on the road.
The Commanders’ offense saw some returnees from injury, including wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel. McLaurin, coming back from a quad injury, made a noticeable impact by catching three passes for 54 yards, including Washington’s only touchdown of the night. His touchdown reception was initially ruled incomplete but was overturned upon review, providing a rare bright spot for the team. Samuel, meanwhile, was dealing with a bruised heel and managed just three catches, two of which came early in the game before he faded from the action. McLaurin acknowledged the team’s inconsistency, describing the game as “a tale of two halves,” noting that the Commanders left opportunities on the field in the first half and were out-executed by the Chiefs in the second.
The first half of the game was characterized by offensive struggles from both teams. The Commanders’ opening drive ended with an interception after a pass bounced off Deebo Samuel’s hands, while the Chiefs’ initial possession also concluded with a pick. Kansas City’s defense forced Washington to turn the ball over on downs, but Mahomes then threw another interception when a pass intended for Kelce was deflected. Despite these turnovers, Washington failed to capitalize, missing a key fourth-and-one conversion deep in Chiefs territory. This sequence of events led to five drives without points from both sides, reflecting a lack of execution and missed opportunities early on.
However, the game’s momentum shifted as both teams managed to engineer scoring drives. Kansas City put together a 72-yard touchdown drive to open the scoring, and the Commanders responded