After a frustrating start to the season, the Kansas City Chiefs will return to Arrowhead to host the Philadelphia Eagles. The Super Bowl rematch will catch no shortage of attention, with both teams viewing the game as incredibly important for different reasons. For the Chiefs, a win is needed no matter who is on the other side. Looking to keep pace and not fall further behind in the race for the AFC's top seed.
Philly has reason to want to keep a win streak against the Chiefs going, continuing to build the false narrative of having a mental edge against the league's prestige franchise. With this in mind, Kansas City is heading into this game as decided underdogs, something they have rarely been throughout recent history, leading us to look at three reasons why this will prove to be a mistake with the Chiefs pulling off the win.
1. The Historical Greatness of Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes in September
It hasn't mattered who the Chiefs are lined up against in September if Mahomes and Reid are on the field together, betting against Kansas City is incredibly unwise. The veteran quarterback has a 19-5 September record that serves as evidence of just how incredibly difficult the duo is to beat in the first month of the season. This is due to not only the superior talent but also to the advantage of consistently being better prepared.
Furthering this point, since Mahomes has taken over at quarterback, only twice have the Chiefs lost in Arrowhead during the month of September. This is as jaw-dropping a stat as any you can point to heading into this game. Mahomes is nearing a decade into his career and has only been beaten on his home turf twice in the first month of the season.
Reid's guidance, the refusal of Mahomes to lose has given the dynamic duo an elite September record that fits perfectly in with postseason accomplishments. Pointing to the fact that this team always starts and finishes strong, no matter the quality of the opponent.
2. Travis Kelce Revenge Game
When Kelce first spoke after causing the Xavier Worthy injury, you could see the obvious frustration and pain from the legendary tight end. The collision knocked out an incredibly important piece for the KC offense, and the veteran is well aware of this fact. Leading to what is going to be a statement game that turns back the clock for the legend. Already, there was reason to wonder if we were set for a bounce-back season based on how Kelce came into the 2025 season.
There was one great play against the Chargers in what was an otherwise quiet game. Things are going to change in Week 2 with Kelce not only having the motivation of knocking out the player that was expected to get the early targets, but against a team that cost the Chiefs three straight Super Bowl wins.
Everything about this game adds up to a big Kelce performance that is going to help push the offense to an early lead and put the Eagles on their heels. Kelce clicking is going to get the rest of the offense rolling and leave no question that the Chiefs have a great chance to defend their home turf.
3. Philly's Secondary Struggles
This leads into our final point, and that is watching what Dak Prescott accomplished against this secondary in the first half of the season opener. The Cowboys were getting anything they wanted through the air with consistent busts opening up big plays. Mahomes is obviously far superior to Dak, suggesting that this Eagles secondary is going to again be put under immense pressure.
It is a different-looking group than the team that beat the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Most importantly, Darius Slay and C.J. Gardner-Johnson are both gone, leaving the Eagles relying on young, less proven pieces. With this in mind, Mahomes can follow the script that Prescott put into place, exposing the unit early and putting pressure on Jalen Hurts and the offense to keep up.
The difference is the fact that Kansas City's defense is far more talented than the challenge the Cowboys presented. Leaving zero question that the opportunity is going to be present for the Chiefs to defend Arrowhead and again send a message to all the pundits who are oh so ready to push the dynastic run into the sunset.