Chiefs Dominate Second Half to Down Commanders 28-7 at Arrowhead
Without starter Jayden Daniels, Washington couldn’t keep pace with Kansas City’s surge after halftime
The Kansas City Chiefs pulled away from the Washington Commanders in dominating fashion in the second half of their Monday night game at Arrowhead Stadium, winning 28-7 and improving to 5-3 on the season.
The Commanders — missing their rookie standout quarterback Jayden Daniels due to a hamstring injury — relied on backup Marcus Mariota, who battled well but couldn’t bridge the talent gap.
The game was tied 7-7 at halftime, but the Chiefs seized control after the break.
Veteran quarterback Patrick Mahomes rebounded from two early interceptions to throw for 299 yards and three second-half touchdowns, leading a heat-check surge that turned the steady contest into a rout.
Receivers Travis Kelce (99 yards, one TD) and Rashee Rice (93 yards, one TD) both made significant contributions while running back Kareem Hunt added two scores of his own.
Washington showed fight in the early going — wideout Terry McLaurin, returning from injury, hauled in a leaping touchdown just before halftime that gave the visitors hope.
But once the Chiefs’ defence tightened, the Commanders’ offence sputtered.
They failed to convert on two fourth-down attempts and produced only 260 total yards while Kansas City piled up 432.
For the Commanders, the absence of Jayden Daniels loomed large.
Mariota made some plays (213 yards, one TD), but two interceptions and a lack of explosive execution undermined Washington’s push.
With the loss, they fall to 3-5 and effectively fall behind the pace in the ultra-competitive NFC East and wild-card hunt.
Kansas City, meanwhile, demonstrated once again why they remain a contender.
Mahomes’ second-half shift, combined with timely defence and big-play receivers, sent a message as the Chiefs gear up for tougher tests ahead.
The margin of victory — and the manner of it — reaffirmed their trajectory.