Chiefs rally past Giants 22-9 as Wilson struggles in New York home opener
Kansas City overcomes a sluggish first half to pick up its first win of the season; New York remains winless at 0-3 as a chorus of boos and a hint of fan frustration lingered at MetLife Stadium.
The Kansas City Chiefs beat the New York Giants 22-9 Sunday night at MetLife Stadium, dropping New York to 0-3 to start the season. Russell Wilson, making his third start for the Giants, was held to 39 of 160 passing yards in the first half and threw an end-zone interception in the second quarter as Kansas City clogged the middle and forced errors in the passing game.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs shook off a sloppy first half and took control after halftime. Mahomes finished 22-of-37 for 224 yards with a touchdown, and he connected with Tyquan Thornton for a 5-yard score in the third quarter to extend KC’s lead. He later found Thornton for a 33-yard gain that set up Kareem Hunt’s short TD run, helping the Chiefs rebuild a lead they would not surrender. Kansas City’s defense stiffened late, keeping the veteran Wilson from mounting a comeback.
New York’s offense had a bright spot in rookie Cam Skattebo, who rushed for 60 yards on 10 carries and scored a rushing touchdown. He added six receptions for 61 yards as the most productive Giants option on the field. Late in the first half, some fans in attendance chanted for first-round pick Jaxson Dart, who entered for a three-yard scramble and two handoffs in the fourth quarter as Wilson remained on the field to boos.
Although the game remained close through much of the first half, the Giants could not sustain momentum. The 0-3 start places New York in rare company; only six teams since the 1970 merger have reached the playoffs after opening 0-3, and one team did so in the 2000s (the 2018 Texans).
The Chiefs finished the night with Mahomes at the helm in a game that unfolded with periods of lethargy on offense, followed by bursts of big plays. Kelce faced some sideline friction with head coach Andy Reid in the first half but rebounded in the second, contributing on a key drive that widened KC’s cushion.
Kansas City’s defense limited Wilson’s late surges and secured the win, moving the Chiefs to 1-2 on the season as New York fell to 0-3. The crowd at MetLife, restless through much of the night, provided the soundtrack for a game that swung markedly after halftime.
