Chiefs Aim to Keep Hot Streak Rolling on Monday Night vs. Commanders
The Washington Commanders’ Monday night trip to Kansas City was supposed to be a primetime showdown between a perennial contender and a rising NFC contender. Instead, it has become a test of survival for a team trying to salvage its season.
The Chiefs (4-3) host the Commanders (3-4) at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday at 8:15 p.m. EDT on ABC/ESPN, with both teams heading in drastically different directions.
Mahomes and Chiefs Finding Their Rhythm
Kansas City stumbled out of the gate with a pair of early losses, but the Chiefs appear to be rounding into form. The Chiefs have won their last two games, including a dominant victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 6 and a shutout of the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7.
Patrick Mahomes looks like the best quarterback in football once again. Through seven games, he has thrown for 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns against just two interceptions. The Chiefs’ offense ranks fifth in the NFL, averaging 370.6 yards per game, while the defense has been equally impressive at fifth overall, allowing just 280.3 yards per contest.
“It seems like we’re coming together as a team,” Mahomes said. “That’s what you want to do is be a team as the season goes on, and keep getting better. We’re still early and we have everything out in front of us. How can we be better this next week going up against a good football team?”
Wide receiver Rashee Rice has emerged as a reliable weapon for Mahomes. In his return last week, Rice caught seven passes for 42 yards and two touchdowns. Fantasy football owners should take note: Rice is a strong bet to find the end zone again on Monday night. Travis Kelce remains a must-start tight end option as well.
The Chiefs are riding momentum at the right time. After sitting below .500 for the first time in recent memory, they now find themselves back in familiar territory atop the AFC West standings.
Commanders in Crisis Mode
Washington’s season has taken a sharp turn for the worse. After going 12-5 last season and reaching the NFC Championship Game, the Commanders have lost three of their last four games and are staring at a potential 3-5 start.
The biggest concern is quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Veteran Marcus Mariota is expected to start in his place on Monday night. Daniels’ absence is a significant blow to an offense that ranks 13th in the league with 345 yards per game.
Washington’s defense has been a disaster. The unit ranks 27th overall, allowing 364.3 yards per game. More troubling is their pass defense, which is surrendering an NFL-worst 7.8 yards per attempt. Against a quarterback like Mahomes, those numbers spell potential catastrophe.
“We’ll find out a lot about our team in these weeks ahead,” Washington coach Dan Quinn said. “We need everyone to step up. Our focus needs to be sharper. That’s the bare minimum. And we’re going to dig in and find out how we improve upon that.”
The Commanders have also struggled with slow starts, falling into double-digit first-half deficits in five of their first seven games. Against a Kansas City offense that ranks sixth in scoring, Washington cannot afford another sluggish beginning.
Key injuries compound Washington’s problems. In addition to Daniels, wide receiver Terry McLaurin is dealing with a quadriceps injury, Curtis Samuel has a heel issue and pass rusher Casey Armstrong is out for the season with a knee injury.
What’s at Stake
For Kansas City, a win would extend their winning streak to three games and move them closer to reclaiming their position atop the division. The Chiefs have won their last eight meetings with Washington and 10 of the last 11 overall. They are heavy favorites at home.
For Washington, this game represents a crossroads. A loss would drop them to 3-5 and raise serious questions about their playoff aspirations. The Commanders need to prove they can compete with elite teams, even without their starting quarterback.
“They’re about as good as you can get it, just looking at the numbers,” Quinn said of the Chiefs. “That doesn’t bother me, either, knowing that if we play like we’re capable of, to the right standards and being more consistent, we’ll like the results.”
Key Matchup to Watch
The battle in the trenches will determine this game. Washington’s defensive line faces a critical test against Kansas City’s offensive line. If the Commanders cannot generate pressure on Mahomes, he will pick apart their vulnerable secondary all night long.
The Chiefs enter this matchup as the clear favorites, but Monday Night Football has a history of surprises. Washington needs a complete performance to have any chance of pulling off the upset and salvaging their season.
