Why Chiefs Looking Like Their Old Selves Against Jets Isn’t Entirely Good News

The Kansas City Chiefs spent the first half of Sunday’s clash against the New York Jets looking like a team still nursing the wounds of last week’s loss in Denver. It happens, even to a team of this pedigree, especially in an early-afternoon kickoff. Kansas City headed into the locker room with a shaky 14-12 lead over a 2-7 opponent, while a scare involving Patrick Mahomes’ elbow briefly threatened to make matters even worse.

But the second half was a completely different ballgame. The Chiefs’ defense clamped down, the offense found its rhythm and punched in three touchdowns, and Emmett Johnson’s late touchdown run put the finishing touches on a commanding 35-12 win.

Sure, a 23-point blowout looks good on the scoreboard, regardless of the opponent. But the box score doesn’t tell the whole story. The first half raised a few red flags, while the second half offered a glimpse of just how dangerous this Kansas City team can be when all three phases start clicking.

Chiefs’ Offensive Line Concerns May Undo Their Progress Despite Jets Blowout

The biggest concern with the Chiefs looking like their old selves against the Jets is that one convincing win could create the illusion that Kansas City has finally turned the corner. In reality, some of its biggest issues may have simply been masked by a favorable matchup.

The 35-12 win was certainly encouraging, but there’s a big difference between rediscovering your identity and proving that the underlying problems are behind you.

Until next time, @nyjets. Thanks for playing! https://t.co/aev5W0oaoU

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 8, 2026

The Jets entered Sunday’s matchup at 2-6 and have struggled to get much going offensively. Kansas City deserves credit for taking care of business, but beating a struggling opponent doesn’t necessarily prove it can hang with the AFC’s heavyweights.

The real test will be whether the Chiefs can bring that same offensive rhythm against elite defenses.

There were still some worrying signs in the trenches, too. Mahomes was sacked twice by rookie David Bailey, who also forced two fumbles. The quarterback absorbed eight hits overall, while Jaylon Moore exited with an ankle injury.

That’s a particularly troubling development for Kansas City. The Chiefs’ offense is at its best when Mahomes has a clean pocket, time to work through his progressions, and the freedom to dissect opposing secondaries. If the offensive line continues to spring leaks, even the most explosive offense can struggle to stay on schedule.

Chiefs’ Defensive Front Faces a Much Tougher Test After Jets Domination

A dominant offensive performance doesn’t mean much if the quarterback continues taking unnecessary hits and getting battered in the pocket.

On the other side of the ball, recording five sacks without sending extra pressure was an impressive statement from Kansas City’s defensive front. However, the Chiefs still need to prove they can consistently win their pass-rush battles against better offensive lines and more dangerous quarterbacks.

The Jets’ offensive struggles certainly helped Kansas City’s defense find its footing, but the real test will be whether Steve Spagnuolo can get the same kind of production against the AFC’s heavy hitters.

Then there’s Kenneth Walker III. His three-touchdown outing was nothing short of spectacular, but it also raises an interesting question: Are the Chiefs becoming too dependent on their running back to generate explosive plays?

Walker should be a difference-maker in this offense, but Mahomes still needs to be the engine that makes it go. His emergence should give Kansas City another weapon and take pressure off the passing game, rather than turning the ground attack into the team’s primary lifeline.

Last Word on the Chiefs

The Chiefs need both sides of the ball firing on all cylinders if they want to make a serious Super Bowl push.

But Harrison Butker’s two missed field goals were a reminder that Kansas City still has some special teams issues to clean up. Those are the kind of missed opportunities that can come back to haunt a team when the stakes get higher.

Against the Jets, the misses didn’t make much of a difference on the scoreboard. But against AFC heavyweights like Buffalo, Baltimore or Denver, leaving those points on the board could be the difference between advancing in January and watching the postseason slip away.

Main Image: Denny Medley-Imagn Images