Arrowhead Pride
The Kansas City Chiefs now hold a 3-3 record after their 30–17 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday night. Kansas City delivered one of its cleanest performances of the season. The team avoided penalties, spread the ball around and showcased the kind of depth that once again makes it look like a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
After committing 13 penalties during their 31-28 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5, the Chiefs responded with a far more disciplined effort, finishing the game without a single accepted penalty. Head coach Andy Reid credited the preparation by his staff — particularly offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier — as one of the key factors in the turnaround.
“I can’t say enough about Nagy and Bleymaier,” Reid said after the game. “These guys that put that plan together — [wide receivers coach] Connor Embree and the whole group — just had some good stuff.”
Reaid also mentioned running backs coach Todd Pinkston, along with assistant running backs coach Mark DeLeone, who previously served Kansas City as a linebackers coach.
“We’ve added him into the mix,” said Reid, “and he gives us a nice perspective from the defensive side. He’s kind of gotten into the offensive part of it, too, so that helps with putting that game plan together. I thought it was an effective game plan.”
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes accounted for four total touchdowns on offense, including one score just before halftime and another one just after it. That was a critical sequence that flipped a 10–6 deficit into a two-score Chiefs lead. The balance and execution on that side of the ball were a noticeable step forward for a unit that had been struggling to find consistency.
“It was huge,” Mahomes said of the two touchdowns. “We learned from last week, [when] we got the ball out of the half and went three-and-out quickly, which kind of gave the momentum back to the Jaguars. We emphasized in the locker room that we needed to go out there and score and put the momentum back in our favor — and we were able to do that. It was important to get that lead back, get the momentum and get the Arrowhead crowd going — because it makes it difficult for any offense to operate.”
Mahomes praised both the offensive line and the variety of playmakers who have stepped up in recent weeks. After some uneven outings earlier in the season, he thinks the offense is beginning to find its rhythm — driven by the roster depth provided by general manager Brett Veach and sharp coaching by Reid.
“First off, it starts up front,” observed Mahomes. “I thought our offensive line did a great job protecting and giving me time to evaluate stuff down the field. I think Veach and Coach Reid have brought in a lot of weapons — tight ends, running backs — that can make plays down the field. When the offensive line blocks like...
