Patrick Mahomes finds his game after an early interception to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to victory against the San Francisco 49ers. The New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks extend their surprising run of success.

Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers 44:23

The Kansas City Chiefs won the rematch of the February 2020 Super Bowl in commanding fashion after a slow start. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for a strong 423 yards and three touchdowns. 49ers playmaker Garoppolo finished with 303 yards and two touchdown passes.

The game could hardly have started better for San Francisco. The first drive ended with a field goal. Chiefs quarterback Mahomes, however, made an interception on his second pass attempt, which was picked off by Talanoa Hufanga. “That was a bad decision to throw the ball there,” criticised ran expert Björn Werner.

San Francisco was able to start the following drive on the opponent’s 34-yard line. Just four plays later, Garoppolo threw a touchdown pass into the arms of Ray-Ray McCloud III. 10-0 for the 49ers!

Kansas City’s offense was unfazed. It took nine plays to cross the field and complete the drive with a touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman. The 49ers answered with a 50-yard field goal on the ensuing offensive drive and the Chiefs with another touchdown by Hardman – 14-13 Kansas City.

Just before halftime, fatal errors occurred on both sides. Chiefs returner Skyy Moore failed to hold on to the punt ball just outside his own end zone, allowing the 49ers to recover the ball at the opposing 12-yard line. However, the offence failed to take advantage of the good starting situation. Garoppolo made a bad throw that was intercepted by Joshua Williams. “That was a brutal mistake by Jimmy G,” Werner criticised.

What did the Chiefs do in response? They did get to the opposing 6-yard line, then even into the end zone. However, this supposed touchdown was taken back because of a penalty. Even the 39-yard field goal attempt failed. As a result, the one-point lead remained at halftime.

At the start of the third quarter, the Chiefs went straight for it with a touchdown by Clyde Edwards-Helaire and extended their lead to 21:13. The 49ers answered with a 49-yard field goal by Robbie Gould.

San Francisco’s main problem: the defence found no means to stop Mahomes & Co. The next drive also ended with a touchdown. In this case Mahomes served tight end Justin Watson – 28:16 for Kansas City.

It was one after the other: Pass by Garoppolo, catch by George Kittle – Touchdown for the 49ers! On the other side Hardman entered the end zone for the third time – 35:23 for the Chiefs;

Garoppolo made the next blatant mistake, holding the ball too long in his own end zone and being pulled down by Frank Clark, giving the opposition a safety.

Kansas City made it 44-23 with another touchdown pass, this time Mahomes connecting with a completely free JuJu Smith-Schuster for 45 yards, to clinch the game. “That was a statement from the Chiefs. I would have thought the game would have been closer,” Werner concluded.

Patrick Mahomes praised his teammates, citing as a reason for success, “We have playmakers all over the field. We can play over the top and with a lot of speed. “

New York Jets at Denver Broncos 16:9

The New York Jets underlined their role as a surprise team with their fifth win in the seventh game. Impressively, they have now won all four of their away games. Quarterback Zach Wilson had a rather unremarkable game with 121 passing yards. The Jets’ only touchdown came from Breece Hall, who later suffered a knee injury.

For the Broncos, Brett Rypien replaced the injured Russell Wilson and threw for 225 yards, did not throw a touchdown pass and threw an interception. Two wins and five losses is Denver’s disappointing record.

Houston Texans at Las Vegas Raiders 20:38

The Las Vegas Raiders celebrate their second win of the season against the Houston Texans. The outstanding man was running back Josh Jacobs, who ran for three touchdowns and 143 yards. Quarterback Derek Carr completed 21 of his 27 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown.

Davis Mills, the Texans’ quarterback, recorded 302 passing yards, two touchdown passes and one interception. Houston’s big weakness was its running game, which managed just 16 yards.

Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Chargers 37:23

The Seattle Seahawks were able to celebrate their fourth win in the seventh game in Los Angeles. Quarterback Geno Smith threw for 210 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Kenneth Walker III excelled with 168 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Marquise Goodwin also caught two touchdown passes.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert recorded 293 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The running game, however, was not a factor with only 53 yards.