Recap: Andy Reid’s reigning division champions headed south to Jacksonville to take on the talented Jacksonville defense. But 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter alone and finished the afternoon with 378 yards through the air and three scores. Speedy Tyreek Hill went down early in the game but Sammy Watkins responded with nine catches, good for 198 yards while on the receiving end of all three Mahomes’ scores. All told, Reid’s offensive unit rolled up an impressive 491 yards by game’s end. Elsewhere, Steve Spagnuolo’s defense had some positive moments but still remains very much a work in progress.
Next Week: Reid’s team is on the road for a second straight Sunday as the Chiefs head to the west coast to have a few laughs with the rival Oakland Raiders. It’s a series that has been dominated by the reigning AFC West champs the last six years under their current head coach. Kansas City owns a 10-2 mark in this setting dating back to 2013.
Playoff hopes: It was business as usual for Reid and the Kansas City offense on Sunday. But Steve Spagnuolo’s defense still has some work to so and understandably so. A win at Oakland this weekend would give the Chiefs two road victories to start the season. And Reid’s squad would play three of its next four games at home.
Recap: After Jason Garrett’s club spotted the visiting Giants an early 7-0 lead, the defending division champions turned on the Jets and dominated New York with a balanced attack. Dallas ran 62 offensive plays as quarterback Dak Prescott connected on 25-of-32 throws for 405 yards and four scores without an interception. The Cowboys played turnover-free football and did not allow a sack. Garrett’s club also totaled 30 running plays by game’s end as the club rolled up 494 total yards. It was a complete performance following a somewhat incomplete summer.
Next Week: The Cowboys follow up their divisional showdown with the Giants by facing another NFC East in the Redskins. It’s a series that Dallas has dominated in recent seasons, prevailing in nine of the clubs’ last 12 meetings dating back to 2013. But a year ago in Washington (Week 7), Garrett’s team was on the short end of 20-17 score.
Playoff hopes: Dallas has won three of the past five NFC East titles. But it’s worth noting that this club has not been to the playoffs in consecutive years since the 2006 and ’07 seasons. The Cowboys did allow 470 total yards, including 151 on the ground. But this was a solid performance in holding serve at home within the division.
Next: Nos. 2 and 1