The Kansas City Chiefs are on an absolute tear to start the season, rolling to a 3-0 record after dispatching the Denver Broncos 31-10, surviving a 33-30 overtime thriller against the Indianapolis Colts, and handling the Miami Dolphins 24-10. This is a massive shift from last year, when through three games, the Chiefs were scrounging for an identity, stuck at 1-2 after losses to the Chargers and Eagles, with their sole win a ho-hum 22-9 over the Giants. What a turnaround, right?
Kenneth Walker III Is the Game Changer No One Expected
Last September, it felt like Patrick Mahomes had to carry the entire rushing load himself. We saw him scamper for 57 yards against the Chargers and lead the team with 66 yards versus the Eagles. Even in their Week 3 win, no running back cracked 45 yards. Fast forward to today, and Kenneth Walker III is lighting it up with 360 rushing yards in just three games! This dude exploded for 173 yards against Denver, turning what could have been a nail-biter into a decisive victory. He followed that up with 117 yards against the Colts, then scored both on the ground and through the air in Miami. Walker lets Kansas City dictate the pace of the game without Mahomes having to bail out every single stalled possession. And get this: the run game isn’t sacrificing the pass. Against the Colts, they put up 152 rushing yards *and* 371 net passing yards. Mahomes threw for 382 yards and three touchdowns in that same game. Even when Indy made it a shootout, the Chiefs still found a way to win. That’s a huge boost.
Mahomes Has More Answers, And It Shows
Mahomes’ return from a knee injury wasn’t flawless in Week 1, completing 15 of 27 attempts against Denver. But three games in, he’s slung it for 812 yards and seven touchdowns. Travis Kelce is still doing his thing with 231 receiving yards, Rashee Rice has added 190, and Tyquan Thornton is coming up with big downfield plays, including two clutch catches in that overtime win against the Colts. The way the Chiefs are winning this year tells you everything. Walker powered the opener. Mahomes’ arm was the engine against the Colts. In Miami, after a quick score and a long quiet stretch, the offense still pieced together an 80-yard fourth-quarter drive before Kelce slammed the door shut with a touchdown. The offense might hit some bumpy patches, but they’re finding different ways to put points on the board, and that’s a dangerous team.
Early Defense Still Raising Eyebrows
While the offense is cooking, there are still some questions on the defensive side of the ball. They’ve given up 50 points through three games, which is a slight improvement over the 56 points allowed at this point last season. The 31-10 win over Denver was their best showing, holding the Broncos to a measly 176 yards. But the Colts dropped 30 points on them, and the Dolphins managed to rack up 329 yards, even if they only scored 10 points. It’s clear the offense is carrying the team right now. If the defense can tighten up those leaks, imagine what this team could truly become. They’re 3-0 with some clear areas for improvement; that’s exciting for any fan to watch as the season unfolds.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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