The Kansas City Chiefs dropped their regular-season home opener on Sunday afternoon, recording a 20-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Though Kansas City played with more effort than it did in Week 1, the extra energy ultimately wasn’t enough to defeat Philadelphia during their Super Bowl LIX rematch on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
“I’ll take full responsibility for that game,” head coach Andy Reid told reporters after the final whistle. “I probably stayed too aggressive on that — and that’s
my responsibility. The guys played their tail off. They played hard and aggressive football, and they stuck together throughout the game. That’ll pay for us down the road as we continue to grow.”
Reid believed it would take more than a standard effort to beat the Eagles, so the Chiefs leaned on an aggressive game plan — and defensively, it paid off. Kansas City blitzed often, notching two sacks while limiting Philadelphia’s passing game to just 94 net yards.
Offensively, the approach was much riskier. While the Chiefs converted two of three fourth-down tries, the one they missed set up the field goal that proved to be the difference in the game. Facing fourth-and-1 in their own territory in their first possession of the second half, Reid called a run up the middle for Kareem Hunt, who was stuffed short.
“I think it’s important — against that crew — that you stay aggressive,” said Reid. “I probably could dial up some different things there — but I think against them, you’ve got to do that. Obviously, I thought the plays that were called were available, but it didn’t get done the way I wanted it to.”
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes stands by Reid’s call.
“You always second-guess it when it doesn’t work,” observed the two-time MVP. “When it works, it’s a good thing — and when it doesn’t work, it’s bad thing. But I’d rather be on the aggressive side of history than the non-aggressive side. So whatever Coach Reid does in that situation, I have full trust behind it and full confidence in it.”
The game’s biggest moment may have come in the fourth quarter, when the Eagles were leading 13-10. As Kansas City was threatening to score, Mahomes targeted tight end Travis Kelce at the goal line for what seemed like an easy catch. But the pass bounced off Kelce’s hands into those of Philadelphia Andrew Mukuba, who returned the interception 41 yards to kill a prime scoring opportunity — and all of the Chiefs’ momentum.
Mahomes believes the play was perfect for the situation, but is frustrated with himself for not making a better throw to the normally reliable tight end.
“Whenever you’re in those tight quarters like that,” explained Mahomes, “you want to give it to them — especially a bigger guy — more on his body. Then he can catch it and brace for that contact. We knew the hole player would be looking for him; that’s one of our big targets down there in the red zone. He was breaking to make a hit, and it was just unfortunate that the ball bounced up in the air and went right to him.”
Kansas City finds itself in unfamiliar territory, as the loss leaves the team at 0-2 for the first time since 2014. But after the game, there was no sense of panic from the Chiefs’ leaders. Instead, they see the slow start as just the latest challenge for a team accustomed to facing adversity.
“Obviously, this isn’t how we wanted to start,” said Mahomes, “but [it’s important] how are we going to respond. I’m excited for the next few weeks to see who wants to be challenged — and how we can get back and really get after it.”
