It wasn’t pretty, but that is how the Kansas City Chiefs win football games in 2024. Though Patrick Mahomes continued to struggle in short-yardage situations and threw another interception, the defense behind Nick Bolton preserved the win over the Atlanta Falcons.
The Kansas City Chiefs moved to 3-0 on the season, and like the first two games, it boiled down to the final seconds. With the game on the line, the Chiefs made the plays defensively, and the Atlanta Falcons didn’t make them on offense.
I’m not sure what to make of this team. The best way to describe it is that they are working on their identity, especially on offense. Mahomes was 36 of 39 for 217 yards and two touchdowns, but he threw his fourth interception of the year.
For the third game, Tight End Travis Kelce struggled to get open, and he had a crucial drop in the fourth quarter that gave Kirk Cousins another chance to run the offense. His struggles are real, but as Mahomes said after the win, they had two and three defenders on him most of the game. When he was in single coverage, Mahomes tried to get him the ball.
On a positive note, Running Back Carson Steele had 72 rushing yards on 17 carries. He missed an opportunity to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter when he had an open lane to his left near the goal line but ran behind the blockers. Those are learning moments, but the Falcons had no answer for him most of the night.
Rashee Rice, again, was the Chiefs’ best offensive performer. He had 12 catches for 110 yards, and his first-half touchdown was vintage Rice. He’s quickly turning into one of the best receivers in the NFL. Mahomes has so much trust in him, that if that trust can extend to Xavier Worthy the offense can take the next step.
Still this team left points on the field, and settled for two field goals in the red zone. Butker hit three field goals, but missed his first extra point of the season.
Yet, this game is a microcosm of this team, which continues to make mistakes but overcomes them because it executes the team game plan better than any other in the NFL. It is so seasoned, having been in every possible situation, that it is always prepared to make the key play.
Sunday night, it was Nick Bolton, who was a one-person wrecking crew. He was flying to the ball, and his stop on fourth and one late in the game saved the day for the Chiefs. Considering he left the game twice with back tightness, he showed his value to this defense. Chamarri Connor had another great game; he left
Big-time credit belongs to Defensive Coordinator; Steve Spagnuolo was brilliant getting pressure on Cousins when he threw the ball, and stuffing Bjorn Robinson time and time again.
In the end, the Chiefs keep winning games and that’s all that matters. Despite the fact Mahomes and the offense is far from a finished project, they get a win and have a week to get ready for a banged up Los Angeles Chargers team.
It’ll be the first AFC West road test for Kansas City, and we learned anything from each of their three wins this season, next Sunday’s game will go down to the wire again.
