Miami Gardens, Fla.
The Chiefs have played bigger games in Miami Gardens.
The Chiefs have played better games in Miami Gardens.
The result is the same.
The Chiefs won in the same building that Patrick Mahomes won his first Super Bowl, a 24-10 too-close-for-comfort win against the Dolphins on Sunday.
They were imperfect. But the record remains perfect: 3-0.
Here are five observations from immediately after the game:
1. The third installment for a new offense
The offense still has options.
Patrick Mahomes looks healthy — at least until he absorbed a hit in his own end zone that drew a roughing-the-passer flag. Mahomes winced afterward while reaching for his back.
Miami Dolphins defensive end Chop Robinson (44) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and draws a personal-foul flag during an NFL Week 3 game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. Sam Navarro IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
But he started the game with 11 completions, and only a fluke interception (albeit on a bad throw) ended the streak. He hit another downfield throw to open the game. He completed 20 of 24 overall — the third highest completion percentage of his career.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets set for a play against the Miami Dolphins during an NFL Week 3 game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. Sam Navarro IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Kenneth Walker had two more explosive runs — and at one point literally ran out of his shoe.
The Chiefs were at 6.8 yards per play. They finished there in only one game last year. One.
The offense advanced at least inside the 15-yard line on five of their initial eight drives.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (9) eludes Miami Dolphins safety Michael Taaffe (16) during an NFL Week 3 game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. Nathan Ray Seebeck IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Their biggest problem? They couldn’t get on the field enough.
Speaking of which …
2. A problematic day for the defense
That opener against the Broncos might be more mirage than trend.
Yes, I know the Dolphins scored just 10 points — but the underlying metrics weren’t great.
The Dolphins’ first six drives marched into Kansas City territory, including all four in the first half.
The opening drive was a disaster. The Dolphins faced four third downs — with 4, 18, 8 and 9 yards to go — and turned them all into first downs. They chewed up more than nine minutes.
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Mansoor Delane (5) celebrates with teammate Nohl Williams (20) after breaking up a pass against the Miami Dolphins during an NFL Week 3 game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. Sam Navarro IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Oh, and here’s the kicker: They were missing their only weapon. De’Von Achane left the game with a knee injury on that opening drive and did not return.
The Chiefs literally might not face a worse offense than they did Sunday, and the Dolphins still converted 8 of their initial 14 third-down attempts. A fortunate bounce on a fumble and a fourth-down stop prevented the score from illustrating how it really looked.
The Chiefs have a young group on defense. It certainly could get better.
But here’s the point: It will have to.
3. Where’s the pass rush?
Malik Willis has been terrible under pressure this season.
The only way the Chiefs would know it is if they looked up the film of the past two weeks.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) passes the ball against Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis (56) during an NFL Week 3 game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. Sam Navarro IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
They left him unbothered in the pocket, free to take his time and find someone. A week ago, the Chiefs blamed their lack of pass rush on an inability to force third-and-distance spots.
They forced plenty this week. The Dolphins made the most of them.
The Chiefs put a lot of resources into improving their defensive line this offseason. It popped in the season opener. It’s disappeared since.
Willis had been sacked nine times in the first two weeks. He’s less elusive inside the pocket than he’s given credit. But the Chiefs didn’t get to him once.
4. The soon-to-be 37-year-old
The Dolphins opened with a unique game plan: leave Travis Kelce wide open.
Kelce has only one more football game as a 36-year-old. There are a couple of specific statistics that are defying the age.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) looks on from the bench during an NFL Week 3 game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. Sam Navarro IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Kelce opened the game with a 48-yard catch. He already has two receptions this year longer than any catch he had last season.
And 27 of those yards came after the catch. Through two weeks, Kelce was leading the NFL in yards after the catch. That’s not among tight ends. That’s among all players.
Kelce had the opening statement — and then the final remarks. He caught an 11-yard touchdown to put the game away in the fourth quarter.
5. The matchup
A gimme?
Not always.
The Chiefs were double-digit favorites — and then some — at one point this week. They’ve been at least a 10 1/2-point favorite some 23 times with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback.
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid looks at his play sheet during an NFL Week 3 game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. Sam Navarro IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
As you can imagine, they’ve had a pretty good record in those spots.
But not perfect.
The Chiefs had lost three times when favored by 10 1/2 or more. You can probably guess one of them: Christmas Day against the Raiders in the 2023 season. The Raiders actually also upset the Chiefs in 2020 as a double-digit underdog. And the Colts got the Chiefs in 2019 in those same circumstances.
The Chiefs made the Super Bowl in all those seasons.
It’s not a great day.
It could be worse.
This story was originally published September 27, 2026 at 3:08 PM.
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Sam McDowell is a columnist for The Star who has covered Kansas City sports for more than a decade. He has won national awards for columns, features and enterprise work. The Headliner Awards named him the 2024 national sports columnist of the year.