Chiefs start week 9 sluggish, then dominate the Jets in 2nd half
After losing back to back games against the Seahawks and Broncos, the Chiefs were looking to get back in the win column against the 2 win New York Jets on Sunday. And it did not look pretty….at first. The Chiefs started the game with multiple miscues, the Jets were moving the ball somewhat easily, although never getting in the end zone, and the Chief went into half time following not one, but two Harrison Butker misses at a 58, then after a penalty on the Jets, a 53 yard re-try, both of which looked exactly the same 2 feet right of the right upright. Limping into the locker room holding a 14-12 lead at the break. And into that, a Justin Fields fumbled QB sneak that featured Patrick Mahomes in the backfield, why??? It was definitely a first half to forget for the fans at Arrowhead.
The 2nd half however was a complete 180 from the 1st. The Chiefs came out of the half looking much sharper. Moving the ball at will almost, Kenneth Walker ending with 102 yards rushing and another 41 yards receiving, and finding the endzone 3 times on the day. The defense was also dominant chalking up 5 sacks, including double dips for both George Karlaftis and Chris Jones who finally gets on the board for the first time this season. The defense only allowed the Jets 2 first downs in the game.
But, we do have to take into consideration the adjustment for Jets. So, what do we really take from this game? I think not too much. We beat a talented, yet bad team handily, as we should have. I think we will need to do the same thing the next 2 weeks against inferior opponents on paper, the Falcons and Cardinals, and then see how the Chiefs fare against the likes of the Bills, Rams, and Bengals to really get a good gage on if this team is an actual contender in the AFC or not.
We did make a smallish but needed move just before the trade deadline Tuesday afternoon though, trading our 2027 4th and 5th round picks for Colts WR Josh Downs and the Colts 2027 6th round pick. We do need WR help, and Downs is a very capable wide out with good hands. He is only a rental though, as he is in the last year of his rookie contract, so the price for only 9 games of service is a bit steep, but hopefully Downs doesn’t face the treatment that D’Andre Hopkins received when he joined the team in 2024 in season. We all know how Andy Reid treats new receivers in his offense, hopefully the need will outweigh Andy’s reluctance to put new players on the field. But, with the addition of a hopefully healthy Tyreek Hill assumed to be coming in the next few weeks, maybe the Chiefs will have enough firepower in the passing game to compliment Kenneth Walker III, and turn this offense into a Super Bowl contender.
Some memories at Arrowhead
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