The Chiefs are 3-0, but the clean start has not been clean in every spot. As Kansas City gets ready for a Week 4 matchup with the 3-0 Raiders, three issues stand out: special teams mistakes, a defense that has been too willing to let teams stay on the field, and a receiver who keeps moving forward while still leaving one costly play on the table.
Nikko Remigio’s day in Miami was the kind of special-teams performance that can swing field position in a hurry. Twice, he chose to fair-catch punts that were headed inside the 10-yard line, once on a 36-yard punt that landed at the nine and again on a 34-yard punt that came down at the Kansas City eight. That second decision got even worse when a holding penalty on Nohl Williams pushed Mahomes back to the four to start the next quarter.
The Chiefs have already dealt with special-teams problems this season, both from penalties and from poor decisions that nearly changed the game against Indianapolis. In Miami, though, Remigio’s choices were the latest example of a unit that keeps creating unnecessary stress. Dave Toub’s group has to get the simple stuff right, and that starts with understanding when a punt should be left alone.
Kansas City’s third-down defense is another concern that has followed this team for a while. Last season, the Chiefs allowed opponents to convert more than 43% of third downs, which ranked fourth-worst in the NFL.
Through two home games this year, they had been much better, giving up a little over 29%. But the road brought a different story, with Miami going 8-of-16 on third down.
That number gets worse when you look at how it happened. Miami converted a 3rd-and-8, an 11-yard run on 3rd-and-9, a 19-yard catch-and-run on 3rd-and-10, a 12-yard completion on 3rd-and-6 and an 11-yard scramble on 3rd-and-6. Add in the two first-down gifts from penalties on third and fourth down, and that’s seven of the eight conversions.
Now the Chiefs turn to Las Vegas, where the Raiders’ 3-0 start sets up a Week 4 meeting between undefeated teams. The Raiders rank 14th in third-down conversion rate at 41.03%, and they were even sharper last week in their win over New Orleans, finishing at 58.3%.
That makes Kansas City’s third-down issues harder to ignore. If the defense keeps giving away extra snaps, especially against an opponent that can add some trickery to the mix, it will be asking a lot from a pass rush that already has to work hard.
Rashee Rice is the third name on the list, and his season has gone in the right direction every week. He opened with two catches, then had four against Indianapolis and seven in Miami.
His production has climbed too, from 19 yards to 83 to 88. Still, one play against the Dolphins stood out.
Late in the second quarter, Rice had a pass hit his hands and couldn’t secure it. The ball popped up and into the arms of Miami rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez for the first interception of his career. It was the kind of receiver-caused turnover Chiefs fans know too well, the sort of mistake that can erase a good drive in an instant.
Rice has a lot to prove this season as he tries to work toward a second contract that many don’t believe he deserves. Through 17 games, he is on pace for 74 catches, 1,077 yards and six touchdowns. That would be a strong season for Kansas City’s recent receiver standards, but it may still not be enough to lock in his future in red and yellow.
In Other News...
Chiefs Could Catch A Big Break In This Raiders Matchup
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If Powers-Johnson cant go, Caleb Rogers would be in line to step in after being taken in the third round of the 2025 draft. The Raiders also added Tyler Linderbaum as a key offseason piece along the offensive line, so Kansas City will be keeping an eye on whether Las Vegas can hold its front together in a game that matters early in the division race. [Read more 🡒]
Brittany Mahomes Just Shared A Family Tribute Fans Had Never Seen
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Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Matthews have been together since high school, and their relationship has grown alongside his rise with the Chiefs, leading to a wedding in 2022 and a family of five. The new ink includes the childrens names, their birthdates and facial profiles, along with Patrick Mahomes initials, a sign of just how much their home life has become part of the public story around Kansas City. [Read more 🡒]
Andy Reid Brings Extra Edge Into Chiefs Raiders Showdown In Vegas
Andy Reid walked into his press conference ahead of the Chiefs-Raiders matchup in Las Vegas with a little more context than usual, and it fit the moment. He was told he owns the most wins at Allegiant Stadium, a list that includes a Super Bowl victory, and now he gets another high-stakes visit as Kansas City and Las Vegas meet with both teams undefeated at 3-0. Reids history in the building is already lopsided, too, as he carries a 6-1 record at the Raiders home stadium.
For Reid, the setting only adds to a rivalry that already had plenty of juice. He said he is looking forward to the game and acknowledged the Raiders have improved, which makes this week feel a little different than a routine divisional trip. The Chiefs have been here before with Reid, and this time the backdrop is even sharper because a perfect start for both teams leaves little room for anyone to back into control of the AFC West race. [Read more 🡒]