The script has been turned by the Kansas City Chiefs.
They averaged an NFL-low 5.3 points per game in the second half of their previous three games, going into Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders without scoring in the half.
Andy Reid, the head coach of the Chiefs, remarked, “We’re kind of shooting ourselves in the foot.” “That’s where we all need to step it up in the second half.”
After halftime, the Chiefs improved their game and defeated the Raiders 31–17, scoring 17 points in the second half.
They scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, which, up until Sunday, was the only quarter they had scored a touchdown in this season.
The run was broken by running back Isiah Pacheco, a seventh-round selection in 2022 who still fetches a ton of value on a four-year, $3.7 million deal.
Reid and Mahomes both underlined the significance of Pacheco’s touchdown. It was the Chiefs’ first lead in a 14–14 game and their first second-half points since October 22nd.
Less than five minutes into the third quarter, Pacheco finished a drive with a one-yard score, giving him 34 total yards on six touches.
Reid said, “He ran really hard.”
Rashee Rice, a rookie, also ran hard. With 107 yards, he had the most of any receiver in the contest.
Rice then scored the Chiefs’ second touchdown of the second half three plays into the fourth quarter. He did it from 39 yards out, gaining more than 30 yards after the catch.
The 2023 second-round selection showcased both his increasing relationship with his great quarterback and his ability to catch passes.
Mahomes said, “We’ve only scratched the surface.” “In this league, he’s going to be an excellent receiver.”
The Chiefs’ offensive slump ended in the second half, but their problems started earlier.
They only ran four offensive plays for a total of 11 yards throughout the first quarter, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
“They quickly caught up to us,” Mahomes said.
Chris Jones, a defensive lineman for the Chiefs, said that in the second half, they improved their tackling and got rid of the mental mistakes.
That resulted in a Chiefs comeback evocative of the team’s opening game versus the Raiders from the previous season. In Week Five of 2022, Las Vegas had a 17-0 lead before falling 30-29.
Mahomes emphasized the need of strengthening fundamentals before this year’s opening game against the Raiders in order to prevent a second-half collapse.
When deep plays were not available, he stated he did a better job of taking the checkdown plays. He also applauded the offense’s ability to show more tenacity when it is not running on the initial script of 15 plays.
It all depends on who wants it more in the second half, according to Mahomes. “The guys performed that task flawlessly today.”
They did, in fact, score the first points on their final 17 drives in the second half.
While Kansas City halted one streak, it continued another.
Over at Allegiant Stadium, they are already 4-0. Not only is Super Bowl LVIII hosted there, but the Raiders call it home as well.
That outcome is far more plausible if the Chiefs offense can build on their triumph on Sunday by playing better in the second half.
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