The Kansas City Chiefs showcased their most effective ground attack in a 41-10 home win over the Chicago Bears on a sunny Sunday afternoon. And it was all perfect for Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
On the other hand, the only game of the week 3 of the NFL that features two teams with a 2-0 record will take place this Monday night when the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers face off at Raymond James Stadium
Chiefs Beat the Bears
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the aerial game returned to the form of previous seasons against a struggling Bears defense.
The Kansas City Chiefs offense had not been good or consistent in the first two weeks of the season. And all of this was perfect for Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
The Chiefs couldn't have been much more dominant after entering as a 12 1/2-point favorite.
After a punt on the first offensive series, the Chiefs' offensive line scored touchdown after touchdown. With a field goal and touchdown in five series, Kansas dominated.
The Chiefs led 31-0 at halftime, although they also suffered a scare late in the second quarter when Mahomes felt his right ankle injured by the Bears' Yannick Ngakoue on a quarterback pressure attempt.
Mahomes, recalling some plays from last year's playoffs, stayed on the field while limping, hanging on until late in the first half before entering the Chiefs' first series in the third quarter.
It wouldn't be needed for much longer. After a short touchdown pass to Kelce, Mahomes was replaced on the team's next possession with a score of 41-0 and 4:37 minutes to play in the third quarter.
The Chiefs' defense, a week after deserving the game ball in a 17-9 road win over Jacksonville, was excellent once again.
Corner Trent McDuffie forced a fumble, and safety Justin Reid deflected a Justin Fields pass that led to a Mike Edwards interception. The Chiefs held Chicago scoreless on their first eight possessions.
The Bears scored all 10 of their points in the fourth quarter. One of the few negatives for the Chiefs was a continuation of a season-long problem with offensive line penalties.
🖐️ touchdowns
In case you missed them, these were our five touchdowns this afternoon #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/I587HXFwHD
- Chiefs Mexico (@ChiefsMexico) September 24, 2023
Duel of Undefeateds this Monday Night
The Eagles have beaten the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings to start the season, but so far have not been the dominant Philadelphia team of last season that reached the Super Bowl.
The Buccaneers have defeated two NFC North teams, the Vikings and the Bears, thanks to the steady play of quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Monday's game will be the first meeting between the teams since Tampa Bay's 31-15 victory in the 2021 Wild Card round.
Philadelphia has been nearly unbeatable with Jalen Hurts at quarterback. In his fourth season with the Eagles, Hurts has a 19-1 record in his last 20 regular season games as a starter.
Hurts is just the sixth quarterback in NFL history to post a 19-1 record over a 20-game stretch; the first five combined to win 16 Super Bowls.
In addition, Hurts and the Philadelphia offense could face a Tampa Bay defense without its most experienced cornerback this Monday night.
Carlton Davis, who is in his sixth season with the Buccaneers, did not play last week due to a toe injury, and his status for Monday is still uncertain.
Mayfield has been solid to start the season. Signed in the offseason as a free agent to replace the retiring Tom Brady, Mayfield ranks fifth in the league in passer rating
Mayfield will face a Philadelphia pass defense coming off a poor performance. Last week against the Vikings, the Eagles allowed quarterback Kirk Cousins to complete 31 of 44 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns.