Commanders Fall to Chiefs 28-7: What Went Wrong in Kansas City

The Washington Commanders' struggles continued Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium, where they suffered a lopsided 28-7 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs. Playing without rookie sensation Jayden Daniels for the third time this season, the Commanders simply couldn't match Patrick Mahomes and company in primetime, extending their losing streak to three games.

Mariota's Tough Night Against Elite Defense

Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota drew the start in place of the injured Daniels, returning to the raucous Arrowhead Stadium where he's played before. "I love playing there," Mariota said before the game, but the evening proved challenging against Kansas City's opportunistic defense.

Mariota completed 21 of 30 passes for 213 yards with one touchdown and two costly interceptions. He was sacked twice for 13 yards as the Chiefs' pass rush consistently disrupted Washington's offensive rhythm. The Commanders managed just 260 total yards compared to Kansas City's 432, while holding possession for only 25 minutes and 57 seconds of game time.

The ground game offered little relief, with the Commanders rushing for a meager 60 yards on 20 attempts—a paltry 3.0 yards per carry average. Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the team with just 25 yards on nine carries, while Mariota himself contributed 28 yards on eight attempts as Washington searched for any offensive spark.

Mahomes Delivers in Primetime

On the opposite sideline, Patrick Mahomes reminded everyone why he's a two-time MVP. The Chiefs quarterback completed 25 of 34 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns, overcoming two interceptions to lead Kansas City to victory. The performance marked another milestone for Mahomes, who surpassed Dave Krieg for 22nd on the NFL's all-time passing touchdowns list with 262 career scoring strikes.

Travis Kelce proved to be Mahomes' favorite target, hauling in six catches for 99 yards and a touchdown. Rashee Rice also had a standout performance with nine receptions for 93 yards and a score, setting a new season-high in receptions. The Chiefs' balanced attack included 148 rushing yards, with Kareem Hunt contributing both on the ground (40 yards) and through the air (two total touchdowns).

Key Injuries Impact Commanders' Lineup

The Commanders entered Monday night's contest with several significant absences. Beyond Daniels, the inactive list included kicker Matt Gay (back), who was ruled out Saturday after the injury appeared late in the week. Washington signed Matthew Wright to the practice squad and elevated him for the game, where he successfully converted his only extra point attempt.

On the positive side, wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel both returned to action after missing time with injuries. McLaurin, absent since Week 3 with a quad injury, caught three passes for 54 yards and a touchdown in his first full practice and game action in weeks. Samuel, recovering from a heel issue, added three catches for 11 yards in his return.

Right tackle Sam Cosmi also made his comeback to the starting lineup after previously being sidelined, providing a boost to an offensive line that struggled to protect Mariota throughout the evening. However, the Commanders were without tight end Colson Yankoff (hamstring) and continued to rest several other players, including offensive tackles Trent Scott and George Fant, linebacker Ale Kaho, and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene.

Defensive Effort Not Enough

While Washington's offense sputtered, the defense showed flashes despite the final score. The unit recorded three sacks and forced two interceptions, with veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner and cornerback Marshon Lattimore each picking off Mahomes passes. Wagner led the team with 10 total tackles, while safety Quan Martin added 14 stops in a busy night for the secondary.

Jacob Martin provided consistent pressure with two sacks, and Jer'Zhan Newton added another as the Commanders tried to disrupt Kansas City's timing. However, the defense ultimately couldn't overcome the offense's inability to sustain drives and keep the Chiefs off the field.

Implications for NFC East Standing

The loss drops Washington to 3-5 on the season and extends their losing streak to three games, placing them third in the NFC East behind the Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) and Dallas Cowboys (3-4-1). The Commanders now sit one game behind Dallas in the division race, though they hold a 1-1 record in divisional play.

According to FOX Sports' recent games tracker, the Commanders have struggled since their Week 5 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. They've dropped consecutive games to the Chicago Bears (24-25), Dallas Cowboys (22-44), and now the Chiefs. The pattern reveals a team that needs its franchise quarterback back to compete at the level expected after early-season promise.

Looking Ahead

As the Commanders navigate their current three-game skid, the focus turns to getting healthy and regrouping during the week ahead. Head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media following the loss, emphasizing the need to clean up mistakes. "You cannot leave that many chances out there and expect to win," Quinn said, referring to the turnovers and missed opportunities that plagued his team.

The return of McLaurin and Samuel provides hope that the offense can rediscover its rhythm once Daniels returns to full health. However, with the season reaching its midpoint, Washington faces mounting pressure to turn things around quickly if they hope to remain competitive in the NFC playoff race.

Monday night's 28-7 defeat serves as a stark reminder of the gap between contending teams and those still finding their identity. For the Commanders, bridging that gap will require better execution, fewer turnovers, and the return of their dynamic rookie quarterback who has energized the franchise when healthy this season.