Chiefs end winless start to season by beating Giants 22-9 on road

Neither team seemed to want this one particularly badly in a battle of 0-2 squads, but the Chiefs ultimately prevailed in a mistake-filled game.

Kansas City improves to 1-2, while the Giants remain winless at 0-3.

New York fans have shown their displeasure over the team's offensive direction after the Giants failed to even take a shot at the end zone multiple times en route to failing to convert a fourth-and-goal situation from the 10-yard line with 2:31 to go in the fourth quarter. Russell Wilson couldn't find open receivers three different times and had to throw the ball away, including on fourth down.

The Chiefs will get the ball back with only a few minutes between them and their first win this season.

The Chiefs receiver just made a highlight-worthy catch to put his team in position to score a touchdown and extend its lead to 22-9, but he's been a thorn in the side of New York's defense all night, with five catches for 71 yards, including a touchdown.

The 25-year-old Thornton, a former second-round pick in the 2022 draft by New England, entered tonight averaging 25 yards per catch, which represented one of the few big-play options in Kansas City's offense with wideouts Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice both out of the lineup.

Butker, Kansas City's usually reliable kicker, has missed four kicks just three games into the season, including two tonight — a field-goal attempt pushed wide right, and a point-after missed wide left. In eight previous seasons in the NFL, Butker had made 218 of his 246 field goals.

On a 3rd-and-10 from the Giants’ 35-yard line, Patrick Mahomes threw deep to Tyquan Thornton, who reeled in a jump ball one play after he dropped a touchdown.

The impressive catch by Thornton set Kansas City up at the 1-yard line, and one play later, Isiah Pacheco ended the drive with a touchdown run.

The Chiefs, after a missed extra point, now lead 22-9 with 6:03 left in the fourth.

The Giants have only one touchdown in two red zone trips tonight, while another drive of theirs was stopped via interception inside the 25-yard line.

That’s an improvement for the Chiefs defense, which entered tonight allowing opponents to score touchdowns at a 66.7% clip in the red zone through the season’s first two weeks.

For now, Kansas City tightening up close to the end zone is buying its offense some breathing room.

Graham Gano's 25-yard field goal for New York cuts Kansas City's lead to 16-9 with 10:12 left in the fourth quarter.

How much will New York go back and re-examine the end of this drive? After having second-and-7 from the nine-yard line, Russell Wilson completed a three-yard pass, then lost a yard on a read-option run, leading to the field goal.

The threat of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart's ability to run has helped New York break off nine-yard and three-yard runs on consecutive read-option plays. Kansas City was forced to respect Dart's running, which froze the defense just long enough for Cam Skattebo to take the handoff and find holes upfield. Dart then quickly exited, to cheers, going back to the sideline.

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart drops back to pass during the second half. Seth Wenig / AP

Kansas City safety Bryan Cook and Giants wideout Malik Nabers collided in midair on a deep-throw attempt by New York's Russell Wilson, leaving both players down on the field. We're still waiting to hear about their status.

Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers during the second half. Adam Hunger / AP

Since 2019, the Giants are 2-18 when playing in prime-time matchups. That's the worst winning percentage in the league, according to NBC Sports research. The Chiefs, meanwhile, are 24-8 in prime-time games.

With one quarter to go, Kansas City is still in position to earn its first win of the season and push the Giants to 0-3. But that is if the Chiefs can hold onto their 16-6 lead, which they have built by gaining 226 yards to New York's 165. The Giants haven't helped themselves by converting just one of their five third downs and failing on their lone fourth-down attempt.

Not exactly fearing the Giants offense, the Chiefs punted on a 4th-and-1 from their own 46-yard line. They still lead 16-6 with the third quarter winding down.

Trailing 16-6, the Giants opt to punt the ball from midfield rather than attempt fourth down and four yards to go. The decision drew boos from New York fans, because now the Chiefs have the opportunity to add to their 10-point lead.

The Giants' first-round pick from April gets into the game for the first time as part of a special package the team has created for him. He gained three yards on a run. Was he in there to give Russell Wilson a breather after Wilson's 14-yard scramble?

On their way to scoring a touchdown to lead 16-6 in the third quarter, the Chiefs drove 11 plays. Of those 11, seven were for five yards or more, including three that gained double-digit yards.

The Giants will get the ball back with eight minutes left in the third quarter having run 17 fewer plays than Kansas City.

That was the Chiefs’ best drive of the night.

Kansas City opened the third quarter with an 11-play, 74-yard march for its first touchdown of the night. Patrick Mahomes capped the possession with a five-yard pass to Tyquan Thornton.

The Chiefs now lead 16-6.

After his first two catches went for four yards, Travis Kelce’s last two have gone for 22.

On the Chiefs’ current drive, Kelce shook free on 3rd-and-2 for a 13-yard gain, looking a lot more like the Travis Kelce that has long terrorized defensive coordinators.

Kelce’s four receptions tonight are already a season high.

Quarterback Russell Wilson passed for 39 yards, with two interceptions, in the first half. New York has gained more first downs via penalty (three) than passes (one).

The running game was better comparatively, with 75 yards on 16 carries, a yards-per-carry average that effectively equals Kansas City's. The silver lining for New York had been its penalties, or lack thereof, after last week. But after racking just two flags through the first half's first 29 minutes, a critical pass-interference penalty in the final seconds moved Kansas City into position to kick a go-ahead field goal and provide the 9-6 halftime margin.

Russell Wilson of the New York Giants throws during the second quarter. Sarah Stier / Getty Images

Thanks to a 52-yard defensive pass interference penalty, the Chiefs were able to get deep into Giants territory on their final drive of the first half, and they capitalized with a 28-yard field goal by Harrison Butker.

Kansas City now leads 9-6 after 30 minutes, and Patrick Mahomes and Co. will get the ball first to start the second half.

This has been a penalty-marred, miscue-filled game so far.

Both teams have over 60 penalty yards. The Chiefs have a missed field goal. Russell Wilson has two interceptions.

The first team to stop making mistakes will be in a good position to win.

A deep sigh of relief for Giants fans, as Brian Burns returns to the field after previously walking off under supervision from the team's medical staff. Burns is one of New York's best pass rushers.

Outside linebacker Brian Burns walked off the field under his own power after staying down for more than a minute and being tended to by New York's medical personnel. Burns entered tonight with three sacks and four tackles for loss, making any potential absence damaging for New York should he need to miss any time tonight.

New York Giants outside linebacker Brian Burns is slow to get up during the first half. Adam Hunger / AP

Another Russell Wilson moon ball, another interception.

This time, Wilson tried to find Malik Nabers in the end zone but was picked off by Jaylen Watson.

That was a costly turnover, as the Giants were in the red zone and in position to take the lead before haldtime.

Playing against sometimes multiple defenders tasked with stopping the ball from getting near him, Giants wideout Malik Nabers has been held without a catch as we enter the final minute of the first half. Nabers has also only been targeted once. Nabers averaged seven catches per game during his first two weeks.

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers. Seth Wenig / AP

For the second time tonight, Patrick Mahomes was a little reckless with a throw behind the line of scrimmage, throwing a backwards lateral as opposed a forward pass.

The first time, the play had to be reviewed for the ball to be moved back.

This time, Mahomes recognized immediately he fumbled — and actually made a great play to recover the ball for the Chiefs. But this is definitely not the Mahomes we are used to seeing.

Kansas City couldn’t convert a 3rd-and-25 after the miscue, and punted back to the Giants, who will have a chance to score before halftime.

Kansas City already has four penalties for 35 yards in the first half — their latest two aiding the Giants to their first touchdown of the night. Both sides of the ball have been equal offenders, as the offense and defense each have two penalties.

Patrick Mahomes calls a play during the second quarter. Elsa / Getty Images

Cam Skattebo scores a high-flying touchdown from 13 yards out to end a seven-play, 70-yard drive and help the Giants force a 6-6 tie with 1:44 to go before halftime. New York's point-after attempt was blocked, however. (Reminder, New York's starting kicker, Graham Gano, is questionable to return tonight with a groin injury.)

NBC caught Andy Reid and Travis Kelce getting into a heated conversation on the sideline after the Chiefs’ most recent drive.

Kansas City hasn’t been crisp offensively despite leading in this game. And Kelce is having another subpar night, with only two catches for four yards so far.

At 0-2, the Chiefs may be a little more ornery than usual.

After making his first two field goals from a longer distance, Harrison Butker was wide right from 40 yards out, keeping the score at 6-0, Chiefs.

Tough offensive series for Kansas City, which wasn’t able to capitalize on good field position after an interception. Patrick Mahomes is averaging only 5.4 yards per attempt so far tonight.

Giants quarterback Russell Wilson has completed five of his eight passes for 19 yards, including the interception that just gave the ball back to Kansas City with eight minutes left before halftime.

Wilson is coming off a 450-yard performance in Dallas and entered this weekend leading the league in passing yardage. So far the Giants have just four first downs to show for three drives.

Russell Wilson of the New York Giants looks to pass. Elsa / Getty Images

Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (shoulder) and kicker Graham Gano (groin) are both listed as questionable to return tonight by the team. Gano injured himself during pregame warmups.

Russell Wilson tried to find Wan'Dale Robinson streaking down the middle of the field on 3rd-and-7, but Wilson’s moonball was picked off by Chris Roland-Wallace.

Roland-Wallce returned the interception for 23 yards, setting the Chiefs up inside Giants’ territory to start their next drive.

Harrison Butker drilled a 48-yard field goal to give the Chiefs a 6-0 lead in the second quarter.

Even though Kansas City is ahead, the offense has looked disjointed so far tonight. Patrick Mahomes is 8-of-12 for 80 yards, but penalties and miscues have kept the Chiefs from sustaining drives.

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker makes a 48-yard field goal. Seth Wenig / AP

This time it’s right tackle Jawaan Taylor being called for illegal formation — which has been a recurring issue for Taylor the last couple seasons. That penalty wiped out a first down on third down.

One week after racking up 14 penalties in a loss at Dallas, the Giants have played much more disciplined tonight, with just one penalty called against them more than a quarter into the game.

When Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was called for an illegal forward pass, the Giants challenged the play, believing he had thrown a backward pass instead. After a review, the Giants' argument won out, costing Kansas City eight yards on the play and pushing them deeper into their own territory.

The only points in the first quarter came via Harrison Butker field goal.

The Chiefs currently have the ball for their second possession. They’ll have a 2nd-and-7 from their own 22 when the second quarter begins.

Noah Gray of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes ahead of Jevon Holland of the New York Giants. Sarah Stier / Getty Images

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Tyrone Tracy Jr. took a hard hit while going out of bounds and needed assistance to get off the field, and an injury to Tracy would thin out the Giants' backfield. He has seven carries for 29 yards tonight. Without Tracy, the Giants punted on their second possession and are still scoreless.

Through two games New York's defense faced the second-fewest amount of third-down opportunities (25) and tied for the fewest third-down conversions allowed (10). Meanwhile, Kansas City converted two of its three third downs on its first drive.

Harrison Butker banked a 54-yard field goal in off the left upright to give the Chiefs a 3-0 lead over the Giants with 3:49 left in the first quarter.

Here’s something you don’t see often during a Chiefs game: Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce not looking in sync.

Kelce couldn’t make a catch on either of his first two targets from Mahomes. On the first target, Mahomes missed a wide-open Kelce. On the second, Mahomes underthrew his tight end on a wheel route.

Mahomes looks to pass toward Kelce. Adam Hunger / AP

The Chiefs’ offensive line hasn’t always been stout this season, allowing four sacks through the first two weeks.

On the team’s opening drive, rookie left tackle Josh Simmons was called for a holding penalty trying to block Brian Burns. Kansas City was still able to pick up a first down on the next play, but how Simmons fares on the edge tonight will be an important subplot in this game.

The Giants sustained their first possession for 10 plays and nearly six minutes but couldn't drive into either the red zone or field-goal range before failing to convert on fourth down. But what it did show was backup running back Cam Skattebo, the rookie from Arizona State whose physical running style helped him emerge out of nowhere last season while in college. He has two carries for 10 yards thus far. He entered today with 13 carries for 42 yards.

The Chiefs bent but didn’t break on the Giants’ opening possession.

New York ran the ball 7 times for 33 yards on its first drive, yet opted to throw on 4th-and-3 from the Kansas City 28. A Russell Wilson pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage, and now Patrick Mahomes will take over with the game tied at zero.

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo struggles for yardage as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton defends. Adam Hunger / AP

The Chiefs won the toss and elected to defer, which gives the Giants the opening drive to start this game. This is a game between desperate, 0-2 teams. Who comes out on top?

Now in his seventh season as the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo is the longest-tenured defensive coordinator with their current team in the NFL. Spagnuolo has won four Super Bowls in his career (3 with KC, 1 with NYG), the most of any coordinator. 

Spagnuolo spent five seasons over two stints with the Giants, serving as their defensive coordinator from 2007-2008 and 2015-2017. He finished the 2017 season as the Giants’ interim head coach following the firing of Ben McAdoo.

Spagnuolo was the Giants’ coordinator when they beat the previously undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII in the 2007 season.

Travis Kelce, who turns 36 on October 5, is in the final season of his contract and potentially the final season of his career.

While Kelce led the Chiefs in both receptions (97) and receiving yards (823) last season, he did not catch a touchdown until Week 8 and finished the year with just three receiving TDs. It marked the third straight season that Kelce saw his receiving yards and receiving TD totals drop. 

Giants second-year receiver Malik Nabers has picked up where he left off from his stellar rookie campaign, collecting 14 receptions for 238 yards and two touchdowns through the team’s first two games.

Nabers is the type of gamebreaking wideout the Chiefs have lacked the last couple seasons. Through two weeks, all of Kansas City’s receivers (including backs and tight ends) have combined for two touchdowns.

The Chiefs’ top wide three receivers have 289 yards combined — only 51 more than Nabers himself.

Malik Nabers of the New York Giants warms up Sunday. Sarah Stier / Getty Images

The Chiefs have reached the AFC Championship game in all seven seasons with Patrick Mahomes as the starting QB (2018-2024). Since Mahomes, who turned 30 last week, took over as the starter, the Chiefs have an NFL-high 107 wins (including playoffs). That is 21 more wins than the 2nd-place Bills (86 wins).

Patrick Mahomes before tonight's game. Elsa / Getty Images

The Giants will officially have their left tackle back for Sunday night’s game against the Chiefs.

Andrew Thomas is active for the contest after he was listed as questionable for the contest. Thomas has not played since suffering a foot injury midway through last season.

Read the full article here.

Both teams feature elite groups of pass rushers whose production could swing Sunday Night Football in either direction. Kansas City's Chris Jones has yet to produce a sack in the first two weeks for the first time since 2018, and is coming off a 2024 season in which he recorded his fewest sacks in eight years, yet is still among the league's best threats off the edge. And he remains a threat because teams must also respect the presence of his teammate, George Karlaftis, who has sacked Giants quarterback Russell Wilson six times in five career games.

The Giants are even deeper, with Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux combining for five sacks and six tackles for loss. And that doesn't count lineman Dexter Lawrence, who had nine sacks in last season's first seven games but hasn't produced another ever since.

Jason Garrett sits down with Andy Reid before the NFL season to discuss coaching quarterbacks and the evolution of the position while also diving into coaching philosophy on how to give players power in decision-making.

The first-year Giants quarterback's 618 passing yards led the NFL through Week 2, and the total — buoyed mostly by his 450 yards last week — is also the highest of the 36-year-old's career through two weeks.

But can his arm still lead to wins? Going back to last season when Wilson was in Pittsburgh, he has lost seven consecutive games.

"I know what I’m capable of. I don’t need somebody to convince me of that," Wilson said this week. "I don’t need outside praise or criticism to convince me of what I’m capable of."

New York's Week 2 loss at Dallas could be attributed to many factors, but one that was impossible to ignore was its lack of discipline. (For example, the six it drew on its opening possession alone.)

When all was said and done, the Giants had been called for 14 penalties, the most by the franchise in a single game since 1949.

Through two games, the Carolina Panthers lead the NFL in an ignominious category — they have not led for a single second all season. That's a poor start, not that one wasn't unexpected for this Panthers team.

Yet Kansas City hasn't been much better, leading for just 2 minutes, 44 seconds out of 120 minutes of football, the second-lowest amount of time leading.

The Giants traded three draft picks to move up and use the 25th pick in April's draft to select Dart, the quarterback from Mississippi. Dart did not play in Week 1 but was used in a specific package in Week 2, playing six total snaps. Giants coaches told him "red-zone-wise, just to be prepared," Dart said after the Giants' loss to Dallas. "Short-yardage stuff."

In Week 1, the Giants were the only team in the NFL that failed to score a touchdown, scoring a league-low six points in their loss at Washington. They came to life in Week 2 at Dallas, scoring 37 points and putting up 506 yards of total offense. 

Only six teams ever, and just one this century, have started 0-3 and made the playoffs. While the Giants didn't begin the season with Super Bowl ambitions, the Chiefs certainly did. To keep their 10-year playoff streak — the second-longest in NFL history, behind only the Patriots, who appeared in 11 consecutive postseasons — alive, the Chiefs seemingly must win this weekend to avoid trying to make a desperate playoff push, something few 0-3 teams have ever pulled off.

Those six teams:

• 2018 Texans
• 1998 Bills
• 1995 Lions
• 1992 Chargers
• 1982 Buccaneers
• 1981 Jets

To look just as the Chiefs' own history, being 0-2 has routinely signaled trouble ahead. Of the 16 seasons where the Chiefs started 0-2, 15 resulted in the team missing the playoffs. The lone exception was in 2006.

Mike Florio and Nick Wright spell out why if the Chiefs lose Week 3, it’ll suggest they’re “just not that good” and that could change expectations from them this season.

An 0-2 start? The Giants have now done that 10 times in the past 13 seasons.

Yet this is the first time Kansas City has endured back-to-back losses to begin a season since 2014. KC hasn't started 0-3 since 2011.

“Obviously, we’ve never been 0-2, but we’ve had times where we’ve dealt with challenges before," Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said this week. "The guys that we have in this locker room will go back to work with that mindset of, ‘We’re going to continue to work even harder.’

"So that when we step on that field this next time, we can find a way to win in those big moments, like we haven’t in these first two weeks.”

Reid's 301 career victories, including the postseason, ranks fourth all-time behind George Halas (324), Bill Belichick (333) and Don Shula (347). He could tie Shula and Belichick atop another coaching leaderboard this season if the Chiefs reach double-digit victories, which would be his 20th season with 10-plus wins, matching Shula and Belichick for most all-time.

Fantasy Football Pregame unveils its TD scorer parlay on DraftKings Sportsbook for Week 3.

Kyle Dvorchak shares how Cam Skattebo's arrival in the Giants offense hurts Tyrone Tracy's fantasy value after taking a backseat to the rookie in Week 2.

Take heart, Chiefs and Giants fans — it has happened before. Four times, in fact.

The 1934 Giants, 1993 Cowboys, 2001 Patriots and 2007 Giants all started a season at the bottom (of the standings) only to end it on top, with a championship.

Rodney Harrison and Tony Dungy break down why the strong New York Giants' pass rush paired with subpar Kansas City Chiefs receivers, could make this a closer "Sunday Night Football" game than expected.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid sits down with Jason Garrett to discuss how he fosters a culture of honesty and hard work, as well as lessons he learned growing up that has impacted his mentorship for his players.

NBC News chief news and sports data analyst Steve Kornacki joins "TODAY" to break down the upcoming Chiefs-Giants face-off on Sunday night.

Chiefs and Giants: Steve Kornacki breaks Down stats

03:05

At times last season, Kansas City didn't look like the best team in the AFC. But it made the Super Bowl by being the best team in the NFL in terms of winning close games. When this season began, the Chiefs had won 17 consecutive games where the final margin was a touchdown or less.

But that streak is over now, after Kansas City opened this season with two consecutive one-score losses. Two weeks into the season, the team has already matched its loss total from the entire 2024 regular season.

With the Chiefs facing a "must-win" game at 0-2, Mike Florio and Chris Simms believe Patrick Mahomes & Co. will right the ship against the Giants.