Chiefs deliver type of report card you’d want to bring home in trouncing Ravens
That’s more like it.
The Chiefs, especially the offense, struggled over most of the first three games of the 2025 NFL season.
But quarterback Patrick Mahomes and company took advantage of one of the NFL’s statistically worst defenses in a 37-20 victory at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. Mahomes finished with four touchdown passes to four different targets as the Chiefs improved to 2-2.
Here’s our weekly breakdown of the game:
KC STAR OF THE GAME
The Chiefs didn’t ease Xavier Worthy into action.
In his first appearance since the third play of the opening game, Worthy was heavily involved in the game plan. Among his highlights: a 37-yard reception and a 35-yard rush on an end around.
He finished as the team’s top receiver with 83 yards on five receptions.
Next: The Chiefs visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football. Kickoff for the Oct. 6 game is 7:15 p.m., and it will be televised by ABC (Channel 9 in Kansas City) and ESPN. The Jaguars (3-1) won at the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
REPORT CARD
Passing offense: A
The deep ball to Worthy for 37 yards, the moon shot to Travis Kelce, the pick-and-roll with Kareem Hunt, the touchdown dart to JuJu Smith-Schuster, the perfect touches on the Tyquan Thornton and Hollywood Brown scores ...
So many good throws for Mahomes. It wasn’t a perfect game, but it was easily his best game of the season with four touchdown passes. Worthy gives the Chiefs another weapon, and in three weeks, Rashee Rice will be added to the arsenal.
Mahomes improved his career record to 6-1 against Lamar Jackson, including the 2023 AFC Championship Game. The Chiefs quarterback gave way to reserve Gardner Minshew with 5:01 remaining.
It should be noted, the Ravens lost cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins and linebacker Roquan Smith to injuries during the game.
Rushing offense: B
If the Chiefs were going to find some success, it would be against this defense. Baltimore entered the game ranked 30th against the run.
No big gains by the running backs, but plenty of short and important ones, especially when the Chiefs brought in Mike Caliendo as an extra offensive lineman.
Isiah Pacheco and the running game seem to operate better when Mahomes is under center. Kareem Hunt continues to be the best option in short-yardage situations.
Passing defense: A
Jackson threw a touchdown pass to end the Ravens’ first drive, giving him 10 TDs and no interceptions for the season.
But Leo Chenal changed the equation with his first interception as a member of the Chiefs on the Ravens’ next series. Jackson tossed it up along the sideline to tight end Mark Andrews, and Chenal turned his head just in the time to make the pick.
Before the end of the third quarter, Jackson was out of the game, nursing a hamstring according to the broadcast, and Cooper Rush, the former Dallas Cowboys’ backup, finished the game.
Jackson finished with 147 passing yards and 48 on the ground. The aggressive nature of coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s game plan won the day.
Rushing defense: B
Derrick Henry has had big days against the Chiefs, but not Sunday. The Chiefs didn’t let Henry or Jackson dominate the game on the ground. Linebackers Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill and Chenal had big games. The Ravens entered the game as the NFL’s top scoring team. This was the Chiefs’ best defensive game of the season.
Justice Hill made the score look a little more respectable with a 71-yard touchdown against Chiefs reserves with 1:56 remaining.
Special teams: B
Harrison Butker booted three field goals, but there was another miss. He was wide left on a 56-yard attempt with 31 seconds remaining in the half. That gave the Ravens good field position, which they turned into a field goal on the final play that cut the Chiefs’ lead to 20-10. That’s five misses in four games for Butker, three field goals and two extra points. He’s had at least one miss in each game.
Nikko Remigio’s 48-yard kickoff return was the longest of his career.
This story was originally published September 28, 2025 at 6:31 PM.