In a game where the Chiefs went almost two full quarters without scoring, took eight penalties, and lost the time-of-possession battle by nearly 10 minutes, Patrick Mahomes and company managed to stay undefeated to start the 2026 season. Kenneth Walker III had another productive day, finding the end zone twice while providing 73 total yards.
Rashee Rice built on his Week 2 performance by leading the Chiefs in targets (9), catches (7), and yards (88). And Travis Kelce iced the game with a late back-corner touchdown grab from Mahomes. The defense held Miami to 10 points and forced two turnovers, but they let Miami get away with way too much, especially factoring in De'Von Achane's early exit due to injury.
At the end of the day, this is a 14-point win in September that matters just as much as any other regular-season victory. Here are my three early takeaways from the Chiefs' two-possession win versus a hapless Dolphins squad.
Kansas City remains undefeated after ugly 24-10 showing against Dolphins
Kansas City's receiving corps remains a weakness
I touched on Rice's solid outing, but other than that, it was a whole lot of nothing from the Chiefs' receivers yet again, most notably Xavier Worthy. It's odd to me that nearly every time Mahomes looks Tyquan Thornton's way, good things seem to follow. He caught both of his targets today for 22 yards. I'm not sure why they don't go to him more downfield and in general.
The main talking point here is the complete disappearance of Worthy, the former first-round pick in 2024. Coming into his third season, fully healthy, it was expected that he would take a jump not to being an elite player, but at least a passable number two option. So far, Worthy has looked anything but that, combining for just 10 receptions for a meager 63 yards.
Defensive pass-rush needs to get going
Coming into Week 3, Malik Willis had taken nine sacks over two games, a putrid number and one that would suggest the Chiefs' front four would have found some success in this contest. Except the Chiefs had the opposite effect, failing to record a single sack and regularly allowing Willis time to stand tall in the pocket.
While Willis is not the level of quarterback to make the Chiefs pay, and the Dolphins' playmakers and offensive scheme do not possess the talent to meet the moment, it's concerning that once again, Kansas City was forced to manufacture pressure by blitzing linebackers and defensive backs.
This young Chiefs secondary will take time to mold
I think Kansas City's youth was apparent in this game, specifically on the back end of coverage. Mansoor Delane recorded a career-high 10 total tackles in this game along with a pass break-up. But there were more than a couple of plays throughout where he, Nohl Williams, Jaden Hicks, and others seemed lost on their assignment on the given play.
The talent is there with this secondary; that much is obvious on the good snaps. And I trust Steve Spagnuolo to have these guys rolling as we get further into the season. It may just take a little longer than perhaps many fans hoped for.
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