The Kansas City Chiefs put an end to their two-game losing streak with a convincing 35-12 victory over the New York Jets at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs improved to 6-2 after a performance that featured a big afternoon from running back Kenneth Walker and a strong second-half effort from the defense. There was an early scare when Patrick Mahomes injured his right elbow on a strip-sack by New York’s David Bailey. Mahomes briefly left the field, tested the elbow on the sideline and returned to finish the game. He completed the afternoon with 242 passing yards and two touchdown passes.
Walker provided much of the offensive spark, finishing with 143 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. He caught two touchdown passes from Mahomes, including a 25-yard screen in the second quarter, and added a scoring run in the third. Mahomes also connected with Travis Kelce, who finished with four catches for 72 yards and scored on a trick play with a lateral from Mahomes near the goal line. The connection between the two also made NFL history. Their combined 9,365 receiving yards surpassed Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates for the most career passing yards between a quarterback and tight end in league history.
Kansas City’s defense took control after halftime, shutting out the Jets over the final two quarters and limiting New York to just 229 total yards. The Chiefs recorded five sacks of quarterback Geno Smith, including a third-quarter performance in which the Jets managed minus-nine yards of offense. Kansas City had some issues early, including two lost fumbles and another pair of missed field goals by Harrison Butker. Coach Andy Reid said he wasn’t ready to make any decisions about the kicking situation following the game. The victory gives the Chiefs some momentum heading into their next matchup after consecutive losses to Seattle and Denver.
