Kansas City reminded us on Sunday Night Football why great teams, championship franchises, don't just fall off a cliff when you have Patrick Mahomes at quarterback and Andy Reid at head coach.
Both were pivotal in the Chiefs' 30-17 win over the Detroit Lions at a raucous Arrowhead Stadium — a victory that, while not salvaging Kansas City's season, keeps them out of a hole that could have been difficult to climb back from.
Mahomes was sharp and efficient, completing 22 of 30 passes for 257 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. The Chiefs added 112 rushing yards and a touchdown, and Andy Reid's masterful play-calling kept the Lions guessing. At times, defenders couldn't tell where the ball was going — classic Reid: red jerseys flying everywhere, chaos and confusion on defense.
Now 3-3, the Chiefs remain very much alive in the AFC playoff race. They're not perfect, but with Rasheed Rice returning and the ever-present Mahomes-Reid connection, they have the pieces to make a strong second-half push. Can they reach the Super Bowl again? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the Chiefs will be in playoff conversations come December and January.
Despite early-season struggles and the fatigue that comes with repeated Super Bowl runs, this team demands respect for the way it bounces back year after year. The Chiefs may have stumbled early, but they're ready to make their move in the second half.
I for one will not be writing them off, especially with those two gentlemen previously mentioned playing such pivotal roles.
Who's Hot…
Rico Dowdle… What a couple of weeks it's been for Rico Dowdle. The Carolina running back has exploded for 389 rushing yards in just two games, powering the Panthers to back-to-back wins over the Miami Dolphins and his old team, the Dallas Cowboys. Sure, those defenses haven't exactly been brick walls this season, but you can only beat who's in front of you — and Dowdle has done just that, with some authority. On Sunday, he added another 56 yards through the air and a touchdown, sealing a 30-27 victory that suddenly has Carolina looking lively again at 3-3 – their best start since 2021.
The New York Giants… The Giants have won two of their last three games, including a stunning 34-17 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. The performance was powered by the exuberance of youth in quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo. Both players aren't just performing well — they're leading this team with sheer will, enthusiasm, and excitement. They are forces of nature, and where they go, the Giants follow. New York sits at 2-4 with a long road ahead, but suddenly this team is relevant and exciting to watch — a far cry from the days of Russell Wilson under center. Giants fans finally have something to cheer for, and it all comes down to Dart and Skattebo.
Baker Mayfield… As the final seconds ticked down on Tampa Bay's 30–19 win over San Francisco, the chants of "MVP! MVP!" echoed around Raymond James Stadium — and you know what? The fans might just be onto something. Baker Mayfield wasn't perfect on Sunday, but he was electric when it mattered. That tackle-breaking run on third and 14 summed him up — sheer willpower wrapped in swagger — and two plays later, that pinpoint touchdown to Tez Johnson lit up the place. Those are the moments that lift a sideline, that make a team believe. Baker has brought belief back to Tampa, and right now, he's leading a 5–1 Buccaneers team that looks ready to dream big.
Who's Not…
The Dallas Cowboys defense… Heading into Week 6, the Dallas Cowboys boasted the league's top offense in yards gained — and the worst defense in yards allowed. On Sunday, they continued to undo Dak Prescott's good work. Prescott threw three touchdown passes against Carolina, but the Cowboys still fell 30-27, giving up 410 total yards, three touchdown passes to Bryce Young, and 216 yards on the ground. This is a team that traded away Micah Parsons, supposedly to improve against the run, according to owner Jerry Jones. That hasn't happened. Instead, the defense has become an embarrassment, holding the Cowboys back. Despite scoring more than 175 points in their first six games, they've managed just two victories – an unwanted feat only achieved by five other teams in NFL history.
The Miami Dolphins… The Miami Dolphins dropped another heartbreaker on Sunday, falling 29-27 to the Los Angeles Chargers. Miami had taken the lead on a Darren Waller touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa with just 46 seconds left, but the defense faltered when it mattered most, allowing Cameron Dicker to nail a 33-yard field goal with only five seconds remaining. The loss dropped Miami to 1-5, but perhaps the biggest blow came after the game. Tua revealed to the media that players have either been late to — or completely missing — players-only meetings, directly pointing to leadership issues within the team. The pressure on head coach Mike McDaniel is mounting. With the Dolphins struggling on the field and clearly facing internal discord, it's becoming hard to see how McDaniel survives in this environment. The situation is rapidly approaching untenable territory.
The Fast Five…
- The Denver Broncos played very well on defense during Sunday's 13-11 win over the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but that was a tough watch. And Aaron Glenn needs to take a serious look at a New York passing attack that racked up -10 net passing yards. A shocking display.
- It's time to recognise Jaxson Smith-Njigba as one of the very best wide receivers in the NFL. He caught eight passes for 162 yards and one touchdown in Seattle's 20-12 win over Jacksonville. And JSN is not a one-trick pony – he can catch every type of pass at the end of every type of route.
- Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Warren and any one of several key receivers are stepping up time and again for the 5-1 Indianapolis Colts – currently the number one seed in the AFC playoff race. Indy scored more than 30 for the fourth time this season in recording a 31-27 win over Arizona. And they have punted just 10 times in six games. That is pretty stunning stuff.
- The New England Patriots are working their way back to relevance having found answers to one of the most vital partnerships in all of football. The head coach (Mike Vrabel) and his quarterback (Drake Maye). In leading the Pats to their straight win, Maye threw three touchdown passes in defeating New Orleans.
- Spare a thought for Cincinnati's Evan McPherson today as he thought he had set a new NFL record with a 67-yard field goal against Green Bay at Lambeau Field. But the Packers had called a time out just before the kick. McPherson missed the re-try. But make no mistake, Justin Tucker's league record of 66 yards is going to fall soon.
Fact of the Week
The Pittsburgh Steelers recorded six sacks, 14 quarterback hits and 24 pressures in their 23-9 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. That defense is starting to heat up after a slow start, registering 17 sacks over their past three games (all victories).
Final Thought…
The form of Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones this season is a reminder that circumstances and the team around them are vital in the development of NFL quarterbacks. There was a time – not that long ago – where all three of those mentioned were the butt of many an NFL joke. Well, they're having the last laugh and have been outstanding. And the best thing for them? Mayfield is 30, while Darnold and Jones are both 28. There is a scenario where all three can completely re-write their career stories over the next decade. And maybe that might make some teams consider if they – and not their struggling quarterback – are the problem.
