Chiefs Beat Commanders 21-7 as Kelce Ties Franchise TD Record, Mahomes Stays Hot

The Kansas City Chiefs dominated the Washington Commanders 21-7 on Monday Night Football, October 27, 2025, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri — a performance that exposed Washington’s fragile offense and cemented Kansas City as this year’s most dangerous playoff threat. The win wasn’t just about points; it was about momentum, legacy, and the quiet unraveling of what was once a Super Bowl-caliber team.

Chiefs’ Second Half Surge Seals the Deal

For the first half, it looked like a grind — two field goals, two touchdowns, and a stalemate at 7-7. But then came the third quarter. Kansas City Chiefs turned up the pressure, scoring 14 unanswered points on a 12-yard Travis Kelce touchdown reception and a 45-yard interception return by safety Juan Thornhill. The Commanders? Nothing. Zero. Zilch. Not a first down in the final 30 minutes. Their offense looked like a car running on fumes — no rhythm, no spark, no answers.

Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes was surgical. His 18th touchdown pass of the 2025 season — a perfectly placed fade to Kelce — tied the Chiefs’ all-time record for touchdown receptions by a tight end. He finished 21-of-27 for 236 yards, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 129.4. No one in the NFL is doing what Mahomes is doing right now. Not even close.

Commanders’ Quarterback Crisis Deepens

Without starter Jayden Daniels (hamstring), the Commanders turned to veteran Marcus Mariota — his third start of the season. Mariota, 30, played with grit, but he was outmatched. He completed just 16 of 29 passes for 148 yards, threw one interception, and was sacked three times. His mobility, once his greatest asset, was gone. The offensive line, already porous, looked like a sieve against Kansas City’s pass rush.

And it wasn’t just the QB. The Commanders’ offense managed only 238 total yards — 67 of those came on one drive in the second quarter. Their running game? 38 yards on 15 carries. They were outgained by 197 yards. After a 12-5 season and NFC Championship run in 2024, this is the kind of collapse that makes front offices nervous.

Kelce’s Legacy Hits a New Milestone

Travis Kelce didn’t just tie the record — he made it look easy. His 72nd career touchdown reception tied the mark set by former Chiefs legend Tony Gonzalez. But here’s the twist: Kelce did it at 35, in his 12th season, with no signs of slowing down. He’s now the only tight end in NFL history with six 1,000-yard seasons and 70+ touchdowns. The Chiefs didn’t just win — they celebrated a generational talent adding another chapter to his legend.

"He’s not just a receiver. He’s a weapon," said Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy after the game. "He reads defenses like a chess master. And when Pat throws it, Kelce just… finds the end zone. It’s not luck. It’s art."

Washington’s Season Hangs in the Balance

Head coach Dan Quinn didn’t mince words. "We’ll find out a lot about our team in these weeks ahead," he said. "We need everyone to step up. Our focus needs to be sharper. That’s the bare minimum."

The numbers don’t lie. The Commanders are now 3-4, tied for last in the NFC East with the Cowboys. Their 180 points scored this season rank 26th in the league — down from 412 last year. Their defense, once elite, has allowed 170 points — a 50-point drop from 2024. And with Daniels still sidelined, their playoff hopes are slipping like sand through fingers.

Even their star receivers, Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel, were neutralized. McLaurin caught two passes for 18 yards. Samuel, returning from a heel injury, had just one target. The chemistry they showed in Week 3? Gone.

What’s Next? Chiefs on a Roll, Commanders in Crisis

The Chiefs, now 4-3, have won three of their last four. They’re one game behind the Broncos in the AFC West but have the best point differential in the conference (+62). With Mahomes healthy and Kelce firing on all cylinders, they’re not just contenders — they’re favorites.

For Washington? Their next three games are against the Giants, Panthers, and Eagles — a brutal stretch. If they lose two of those, their season is effectively over. And with Daniels’ return uncertain, the team may be forced to turn to rookie Sam Howell — a move that could be either a spark or a sign of surrender.

It’s a tale of two franchises: one ascending, one in freefall. One has a quarterback who defies physics. The other has a roster that looks like it’s still stuck in last year’s playbook.