- REWATCH: Commanders-Chiefs on NFL+ Premium
- READ: Commanders own top 10 pick after latest loss
- READ: Mahomes overcomes slow start to lead blowout: 'We can battle through'
- The Chiefs are inevitable. Kansas City is once again an offensive machine and proved it for a third straight week, overcoming early challenges to cruise in a second half filled with Patrick Mahomes improvisation, explosive gains by a number of different pass catchers, and hard running provided by Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. Folks got wise to the Chiefs' ascension early in October but Monday night was just another example of how they can gradually bury a team with an offense that is difficult to force off the field. That became especially clear Monday night when Andy Reid fearlessly dialed up two fourth-down tries and watched his team convert both of them, scoring a go-ahead touchdown on the second try in a situation in which Washington appeared to score a minor victory by pushing the Chiefs to fourth down. As they were back when Tyreek Hill was a star in their offense, the Chiefs are a thorn in every defense's side. On Monday night, those thorns ended up felling their adversary.
- Washington's fight can't make up for limitations. The Commanders deserve a healthy amount of credit for how they approached this prime-time affair in which most everyone expected them to lose. They showed up ready to scrap for four quarters and took the fight to the Chiefs early. Washington stopped an early Kansas City drive in its tracks when Marshon Lattimore made an excellent play, snagging a Mahomes pass for a one-armed interception. The Commanders forced another turnover on the ensuing Chiefs drive and transformed into a remarkably sticky secondary in the first half, keeping this game close heading into the break. Ultimately, though, the Commanders' offensive limitations -- and kicker Matt Gay's absence -- meant they didn't get anything out of those early takeaways. Against lesser opponents, they may have been able to survive these missed opportunities, but when facing these Chiefs, teams like Washington must capitalize when given chances to gain an early advantage. Halftime afforded the Chiefs a chance to adjust and it became clear Washington's wasted chances would be its downfall, an unfortunate result for a team that hasn't had much luck with health or circumstance this season.
- Rice has enhanced Kansas City's offense. Rashee Rice only returned in Week 7 but has already made a visible difference for the Chiefs. He caught two touchdown passes in his 2025 debut, then filled a few different roles on Monday night, including taking a direct snap right through the heart of Washington's defense, bursting through traffic and landing just short of a rushing score. No matter, as the Chiefs capitalized shortly thereafter before continuing to turn to their dynamic receiver on quick perimeter passes and intermediate connections, including one that Rice took 18 yards for a decisive fourth-quarter touchdown. With Rice on the field, opposing defenses have one more significant weapon to account for at all times, and it's clear how much it has opened up the Chiefs' offense -- and gives the rest of the league legitimate reason to fear Kansas City.
- It's difficult to determine where the Commanders are headed. Washington is a team that's been tough to pin down through eight weeks. The Commanders' best win was a 27-10 comeback victory over the Chargers in Inglewood, but they've lacked that type of performance in most of their other contests against perceived quality teams. The 44-22 loss to the Cowboys was concerning on a number of fronts but could be excused away by Jayden Daniels' injury. So too can this one, but the road only gets tougher from here with games against Seattle, Detroit and Denver in the next five weeks. Marcus Mariota is a solid backup, but it's difficult to envision them keeping up with the Seahawks when they managed to score just seven points against the Chiefs, and the same is true for their matchup with the Lions. They need Daniels back soon and a hamstring injury typically doesn't call for a quick return, meaning it will take a significant team effort -- similar to the one they showed in the first half Monday night -- to prevent this season from sliding off the rails. Buckle up.
- Kansas City's defense posts third straight quality outing. While we've marveled at the Chiefs' offensive blossoming over the last few weeks, their defense has quietly come together in impressive fashion. As it turns out, their stifling effort against Detroit in Week 6 wasn't a fluke, but a sign of things to come. Over the last three games, the Chiefs have outscored their opponents, 89-24. Each of their opponents have finished short of 300 total yards. Their defense has forced three takeaways over that span, and because of their resilience on Monday night, they prevented the Commanders from capitalizing on either of the Chiefs' two giveaways (both Mahomes interceptions). Kansas City began this season displaying concerning defensive signs in a Week 1 loss to the Chargers, but those worries feel as if they existed eons ago. We'll see if it holds up against the Bills in Buffalo on Sunday.
Next Gen Stats insight from Commanders-Chiefs (via NFL Pro): Patrick Mahomes averaged 2.95 seconds to throw on Monday night, his longest this season. On throws over four seconds, he completed 8 of 9 passes for 149 yards and all three of his touchdown passes. Mahomes also scrambled on a season-high 28.2% of his dropbacks, recording three scramble runs for 31 rushing yards while completing 4 of 6 scramble passes for 52 yards and two touchdowns.
NFL Research: Travis Kelce caught his 80th career touchdown Monday night, becoming the fifth tight end to do so. It was also his 83rd total TD, tying him with Priest Holmes for the most in Chiefs franchise history, and his 100th career TD catch, including playoffs.
