Patrick Mahomes First Win of 2025 NFL Season
Kansas City got back on track. The Chiefs beat the New York Giants 22-9 in Sunday night’s showdown, ending their skid and proving their mettle in a rough opening stretch. This game was their first win of the 2025 NFL season.
First Half: Tight, Mistakes, Field Goals
In the first half, both offenses sputtered. The Giants and Chiefs struggled to find rhythm. Drives stalled. Mistakes piled up. Kansas City edged ahead 9-6 at halftime, all via field goals by Harrison Butker.
Russell Wilson had a rocky night early for New York. Two interceptions. No touchdowns. Passing was off. The Giants could not capitalize on several opportunities.
Second Half: Chiefs Pull Away
Kansas City came out of halftime sharper. Patrick Mahomes found more passing rhythm. The turning point was a drive ending in a 5-yard touchdown pass to Tyquan Thornton. Reuters+1
Then came a breath-taking 1-yard run by Kareem Hunt. That sealed the win, making it tough for New York to rally. Chiefs defense held strong. Giants never found consistent offense in the second half.
Key Players and Highlights
- Patrick Mahomes: Not perfect. But he made enough plays. He passed for 224 yards and threw one touchdown. Solid under pressure.
- Tyquan Thornton: Explosive. He led Chiefs in receiving yards and made a big play in the red zone. He is becoming a key target.
- Harrison Butker: Clutch. Three field goals (from 54, 48, 28) kept the Chiefs ahead when touchdowns were hard to come by.
- Cam Skattebo: Bright spot for the Giants. He had a strong all-purpose day (rushing + receiving), scored their only touchdown.
Giants’ Struggles Continue
New York is now 0-3 on the season. Their offense remains inconsistent. Wilson’s deep shots failed. Red zone chances slipped by. Receivers could not shake the Chiefs’ coverage.
Injury issues didn’t help. Tyrone Tracy Jr., their lead back, exited early with a shoulder injury. His absence was felt. Skattebo stepped in admirably, but the depth was tested.
Left tackle Andrew Thomas returned in a limited capacity. But protection schemes wilted under pressure at times. The offensive line gave up hits. Timing broken. Giants had few clean pockets for Wilson.
Defensive Battle
Both defenses deserve credit. Kansas City’s defense forced turnovers. Two interceptions. Key stops. Giants were held to field goals and one touchdown.
Giants’ defense had moments. They held the Chiefs in check early. But as second half unfolded, the pressure built. Mahomes and Thornton made them pay.
Turning Point
The pivotal stretch came in the fourth quarter. Chiefs extended their lead and turned a tight game into a gap too wide. A third-and-long conversion by Mahomes was huge. Following that, Hunt’s run pushed the score out of reach. Giants dropped to one touchdown in red zone chances when they needed more.
Implications Moving Forward
For Kansas City, this win means more than a 1-2 record. It’s a rebound. It shows they can grind one out. They still have offensive gaps. Pass catchers are missing or not at full strength. But a win is a win. Momentum matters in the NFL
The Giants now face a rough stretch. 0-3 feels heavy. Expect questions about their quarterback situation. About their ability to finish. About their offensive line and injuries. Brian Daboll has work to do.
Final Take
The final score tells part of the story: Chiefs 22, Giants 9.
Kansas City did just enough. They made big plays when they had to. The Chiefs defense rose. The special teams did their job. But the offense still left room for improvement.
New York? They showed flashes. Skattebo was a bright spot. But the mistakes, especially in the red zone and turnovers, cost them.
In prime time, in front of a home crowd, you need more. The Giants will need to adjust fast if they want to avoid starting 0-4. Kansas City hopes this is the beginning of something cleaner, sharper, and more consistent.
