Mahomes, Hunt Lead Chiefs to Dominant 28-7 Win over Commanders/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Patrick Mahomes and Kareem Hunt powered the Kansas City Chiefs to a dominant 28–7 win over the Washington Commanders. The Chiefs extended their winning streak over Washington to nine games behind a second-half surge. Travis Kelce tied a franchise touchdown record, and the Chiefs improved to 5–3.
Chiefs’ Dominance Over Commanders Quick Looks
- Patrick Mahomes threw for 299 yards and 3 touchdowns after early turnovers.
- Kareem Hunt scored two touchdowns, fueling a strong second-half push.
- Travis Kelce caught a touchdown, tying the Chiefs’ career record with 83.
- Rashee Rice totaled 93 yards and a touchdown in his return.
- Chiefs defense held Washington scoreless in second half.
- Commanders QB Marcus Mariota had 213 yards, 1 TD, and 2 interceptions.
- Terry McLaurin returned from injury, caught a TD, but re-aggravated quad.
- Chiefs now 9–0 vs. Commanders in their last nine meetings.
- Kelce, Mahomes, and Hunt led five straight 28+ point games for KC.
- Next Up: Chiefs travel to face Buffalo; Commanders host Seattle.
Deep Look
Mahomes, Hunt Power Chiefs to 28–7 Rout of Commanders for Ninth Straight Series Win
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On a chilly Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium, the Kansas City Chiefs overcame a chaotic first half to crush the Washington Commanders 28–7 and extend their winning streak in the series to nine consecutive games.
While both teams stumbled through the early going, the Chiefs found their rhythm after halftime, with Patrick Mahomes, Kareem Hunt, and Travis Kelce delivering a second-half masterclass.
Early Sloppiness, Defensive Holds
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid described the first half as “weird”—and for good reason. It featured turnovers, failed fourth downs, and missed opportunities from both teams.
“There wasn’t a lot of punting but there wasn’t a lot of points,” Reid observed. “That doesn’t normally happen.”
The opening drives were riddled with errors. Mahomes threw two interceptions — one bouncing off Travis Kelce’s hands — while Commanders QB Marcus Mariota was also picked off early after a tipped pass off Deebo Samuel. Neither team capitalized on turnovers, and both offenses failed on fourth-down attempts deep in opposing territory.
In total: five empty drives, two interceptions apiece, and a scoreboard locked at 7–7 by halftime.
Chiefs Flip the Switch
The Chiefs (5–3) returned from the locker room with renewed focus. Mahomes, who had just two interceptions entering the game, bounced back impressively, finishing 29 of 36 for 299 yards and three touchdowns.
Kareem Hunt scored twice, including a bruising run to cap an 80-yard drive that opened the second half. Later, Mahomes connected with Kelce, who snagged his 83rd career touchdown — tying Priest Holmes for the franchise record.
“He’s the true definition of a Chief,” Mahomes said of Kelce. “He set the standard here.”
Rookie receiver Rashee Rice also played a pivotal role, catching nine passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. After being suspended for six games, Rice is emerging again as a key target in the Chiefs’ offense.
Defensive Strength Defines the Win
While the offense rebounded, the Chiefs’ defense shut down the Commanders, allowing no points after halftime. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit picked off Mariota twice and held Washington to just 1 of 3 on fourth down.
Mariota, starting in place of injured rookie Jayden Daniels, managed 213 yards and one touchdown but struggled under pressure, particularly in the second half. The Commanders dropped to 3–5, including 1–4 on the road.
Terry McLaurin returned from a quad injury to haul in three catches for 54 yards and a score, but he appeared to tweak the same leg late in the game. Deebo Samuel, back from a bruised heel, was quiet after the opening series, managing only three total catches.
“We came out strong, but couldn’t finish,” said Mariota. “You can’t give a team like Kansas City too many chances.”
Chiefs Find Offensive Groove — Again
The game marked the fifth straight outing in which the Chiefs scored at least 28 points, showcasing an offensive resurgence after a rocky start to the season. Mahomes now has 17 touchdown passes through eight games, while the team continues finding balance with Hunt leading the ground game.
The final blow came with a 13-play, 94-yard drive that included multiple penalties and ended with Rice scoring on an 18-yard reception.
“That was a real character drive,” Reid said. “We had to fight through some penalties, make plays under pressure, and finish.”
Injury Updates
- Washington kicker Matthew Wright filled in for Matt Gay (back injury).
- LT Laremy Tunsil left early with a hamstring issue.
- DT Jer’Zhan Newton hurt his ankle but returned.
- Kansas City OG Trey Smith was inactive with a back injury.
- McLaurin is day-to-day after aggravating his quad.
What’s Next
- The Chiefs travel to Buffalo next Sunday for an AFC Championship Game rematch.
- The Commanders return home to host the Seattle Seahawks.
Kansas City remains a clear AFC contender, improving to 5–3 and demonstrating their capacity to regroup quickly after early mistakes. With Mahomes playing clean, Kelce chasing history, and the defense locking down opponents, the Chiefs look poised to keep rolling.
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