The Chiefs' season has started off well, as they are now 2-0 and their freshly rebuilt offense is off to a great start. New addition Kenneth Walker leads the NFL in rushing yards, Patrick Mahomes ranks in the top five in passing yards and TDs, and Travis Kelce looks as good as ever. Kansas City has now scored 30+ points in back-to-back weeks against high-level NFL defenses and now heads to Miami, where it hopes to keep its success rolling.
The Dolphins, on the other hand, have had the opposite experience, starting the season 0-2 after brutal losses to the Raiders and 49ers. The Dolphins have struggled in the trenches, with their offensive line faltering and their defensive line riddled with injuries early in the season. Miami is looking to come away with its first win for new quarterback Malik Willis and new coach Jeff Hafley.
So what do the Chiefs need to do to keep the ball rolling with their successful season and start the season 3-0?
Keep the ground game rolling
The first answer is simple. The Chiefs' running game has been better than ever this season, and with the Dolphins' injuries up front, Kenneth Walker should eat. The ground game has worked for Kansas City, and there is absolutely no reason to shy away from it against Miami this week. The goal for the Chiefs' offense this week should be 200 total rushing yards and to get Emmett Johnson even more involved in the offense.
Emmett Johnson DANCIN' out there
— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2026
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Do not back down from disguise coverages
Jeff Hafley is one of the best defensive minds in the NFL, and in his time with the Packers, he became known for his impressive ability to disguise and change coverages on a play-to-play basis. The Chiefs need to be aware of this but should not play scared. If Kansas City can run the ball well, it will force Hafley to run man coverage as he attempts to load the box. Tyquan Thornton has been one of the NFL's best receivers early in the year against man coverage and should help the Chiefs turn one loose if the Dolphins get too aggressive.
Get R Mason Thomas to lineup with Austin Jackson
The Chiefs spent a premium top-50 pick on R Mason Thomas this offseason with hopes that he could be a feature pass rusher on their defense. This is the week when he should get a chance to prove it. Austin Jackson has struggled, especially when he has been left on an island against faster pass rushers. Kansas City should look to get the Dolphins to shift their protection away from Austin Jackson and let Thomas go to work on the edge, getting after Malik Willis.
I think we could be talking about Malik Willis as a big time QB in about 2 years from now once Miami puts weapons around him pic.twitter.com/eLnRiwkzNt
— Brad (@Graham_SFN) September 24, 2026
Remain disciplined and control the run game
While the Dolphins' roster does not have a lot of household names, their run game is lethal. Malik Willis and De'Von Achane make for one of the best QB/RB rushing attacks in the NFL, and containing them is not an easy task. The Dolphins' WR room has struggled and is a unit the Chiefs should feel comfortable letting their high-quality CB room handle in man coverage. But against the run, Kansas City needs to have lane discipline to limit the ability of Malik Willis to kill them with his legs, both on designed runs and scrambles out of the pocket.
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