Chiefs halftime: Red-zone success helps Chiefs build 17-0 lead in Chicago
As good as the Chiefs’ offense has been, scoring touchdowns in the red zone has been a problem this season.
The Chiefs entered Sunday Night Football at the Chicago Bears ranked 24th in red-zone touchdown efficiency. That is, they’d scored touchdowns on 51.1 percent of the possessions that reached the opponent’s 20.
So it was a good sign when the Chiefs’ first and last possessions of the first half ended with touchdowns from the red zone.
Patrick Mahomes’ 12-yard scoring run capped a 15-play, 82-yard opening drive that consumed 7:58. It was the third-year quarterback’s second rushing touchdown this season and fourth of his career.
The drive was also notable for the third-down conversions, especially the 20-yard strike to Tyreek Hill over the middle on a third-and-18. Mahomes’ touchdown run came on a third-and-4.
The drive also included a vintage Mahomes pass, a sidearm throw to tight end Blake Bell around linebacker Isaiah Irving, collected 10 yards.
The Chiefs got a major break late in the half when Bears linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis ran into punter Dustin Colquitt for a penalty that kept alive a possession that ended with Mahomes’ 6-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce.
A defensive game
The Chiefs’ defense was active and safety Tyrann Mathieu was all over the field. He led the Chiefs with four tackles.
Through three series, the Bears recorded 60 total yards and four first downs. Mitchell Trubisky had passed for 28 yards.
Butker’s career long boot
Weather can often be a factor in Chicago, especially in December. But with temperatures in the low 40s and hardly a breeze favored the kicking game.
Harrison Butker took advantage. His 56-yard field goal in the second quarter was a career best.
Chiefs firsts
A couple of firsts for the Chiefs in the first half.
Stefen Wisniewski played at left guard for Andrew Wylie, who was out with an injury. Also, newly acquired defensive lineman Terrell Suggs entered the game on the third play.
His best moment of the first half came when he chased Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky across the field, a play that ended with a Frank Clark sack.
The Chiefs get the ball to begin the second half.