On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs collected a 20-17 home-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
It would be an understatement to say the team’s offense was lackluster.
Although the offense gained 294 total yards — nearly 60 more than the Eagles — it failed to move the ball consistently, struggling in multiple areas. It converted only four of 12 third-down attempts and couldn’t create any explosive plays until late in the game.
Patrick Mahomes finished 16 of 29 for 187 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also led all Chiefs rushers with 66 yards and a touchdown. Despite the rough stat line, he was one of the offense’s lone bright spots. Without wide receivers Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice, the Kansas City offense looked much like it did in the season opener: flat and out of sync.
It was a rough game — both in execution and play-calling — and even some of the team’s biggest stars aren’t exempt from criticism.
Poor rushing attack
Through two games this season, the Chiefs’ rushing attack has not lived up to its potential. Poor execution of the blocking scheme, as well as poor play from the running backs, have both been to blame for the lack of success running the football.
The Chiefs typically release their tight ends inside on run plays to climb to the second level. On Sunday, Vic Fangio’s defense had a plan to stop that.
On one snap, the edge defender immediately gets hands on Noah Gray, knocking him off balance. This disrupts Jaylon Moore’s assignment, preventing a clean strike and creating no movement at the edge. Gray goes down, and rookie Brashard Smith has nowhere to run.
Gray’s struggles as a run blocker cost the Chiefs several opportunities for extra yards.
On this play, the Chiefs run power. The offensive line executes well, but Gray fails to kick out the edge defender, who crashes inside to swallow up Isiah Pacheco. That wastes solid work from the down blockers and Trey Smith.
Execution wasn’t the only issue. Play-calling also raised eyebrows.
On this second-and-long, the Chiefs try a modified draw, but defensive end Za’Darius Smith sniffs it out immediately, dropping Pacheco for a loss.
Later, early in the second half, Kansas City faced a crucial fourth-and-1 on its own side of the field.
But we see that instead of running straight ahead, Kansas City dials up a slow-developing outside run from heavy personnel. With Robert Tonyan and Gray leading the way — and Creed Humphrey pulling — the play takes too long to unfold. Nolan Smith shoots into the backfield to blow it up, while Jalen Carter crashes through the B-gap to help finish the stop.
The Eagles turned the turnover on downs into three points — the eventual difference in the game.
Mistakes from key players
Travis Kelce led the Chiefs with 61 yards on four receptions, but his performance was marred by costly mistakes that hurt the offense in critical moments.
On this play, the Chiefs set up a downfield shot with full slide protection to the left. Kelce’s assignment is the C-gap, with Gray covering the outside. But Kelce lets the rusher through untouched, giving Mahomes no chance to throw — even though JuJu Smith-Schuster is breaking free on a crossing route.
Kelce’s biggest blunder came in the red zone, when the Chiefs had a chance to take the lead.
Under pressure, Mahomes releases the ball a touch early, but it still hits Kelce in the hands. Instead of securing the catch, he tips it into the air — and the subsequent interception nearly results in a defensive touchdown.
The bottom line
The Chiefs are 0-2 for the first time since 2014 under Andy Reid. They clearly have work to do.
Without their top two wideouts — Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy — the offense is limited. Both players are game-changing talents whose presence alters how defenses scheme against Kansas City.
Still, the first two weeks should serve as a wake-up call. The rest of the NFL is closing the gap. If Kansas City fails to execute, it risks further setbacks until Rice and Worthy return.
The good news? These mistakes can be fixed. But accountability — for both players and coaches — will determine whether the season gets back on track.
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