4. The offense connected on an explosive play for the second-straight week.
In terms of things the offense can build on in the weeks to come, the Chiefs connected on another explosive play during Sunday’s game when quarterback Patrick Mahomes found wide receiver Tyquan Thornton for a 49-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
It marked the second-straight week that Kansas City completed a pass of exactly 49 yards, and now through two games, the Chiefs have recorded four passing plays of at least 30 yards. That total is tied for the second-most of any team in the NFL.
It hasn’t led to a victory yet, but the Chiefs’ ability to stretch the field will continue to be important as the season goes on, especially when wide receivers Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice return to action.
5. An 0-2 start isn’t ideal, but the Chiefs have fought back from a similar circumstance in recent memory.
This may be the first time the Chiefs have started 0-2 under Patrick Mahomes, but it’s not so different from Kansas City’s tough start to the 2021 season. The Chiefs began 1-2 that year and didn’t climb above the .500 mark until Week 9, notably going 3-4 through the first seven weeks of the season.
Despite that slow start, however, the Chiefs went on to compile a 12-4 record and host the AFC Championship Game.
There’s also plenty of historical precedent for teams fighting back from 0-2 starts to later make noise in the postseason. The best examples are the 2001 New England Patriots and 2007 New York Giants, who each went on to win the Super Bowl following 0-2 starts, but even last season, the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos each began the year 0-2 before making the playoffs.
It’s certainly not ideal, but the old trope of it being a long season rings true. Things haven’t gone the way Kansas City planned so far, but there’s still plenty of time to get back on track.
“I think we’re coming together as a team, man. I mean, when you deal with adversity, it’s about how you deal with it,” Mahomes said. “Obviously, this isn’t how we wanted to start, but how are we going to respond? So, 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.”
The Chiefs will aim to do just that with a prime-time clash against the New York Giants up next.
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