The Kansas City Chiefs weren't done making statements.
After K.C. halted a two-game losing streak with a dominant performance over the New York Jets in Week 9, the Chiefs followed it up by steamrolling the Atlanta Falcons on the road in Week 10. The deficit across both games: 70 to 25.
On a day where Patrick Mahomes threw five touchdowns, including first-ever scoring catches for Andrew Armstrong and Cyrus Allen, the Chiefs have plenty of reasons to smile. But Mahomes wasn't the only one worth talking about. However, that's where we'll start in our takeaways from Week 10's 35-13 win over the Falcons.
Mahomes puts on a vintage performance
Patrick Mahomes hadn't put up a five-touchdown game since 2022. For those who thought such epic production was behind him—whether his fault or not—fear not. The Chiefs dialed up one deep ball after another, and the result was a torched Falcons' secondary, time and again. Armstrong and Allen both caught deep touchdowns, and Mahomes even tried to heave one late in the fourth quarter to get Jake Briningstool in on the action. It was that kind of day. The final line for Mahomes: 22 completions on 35 attempts for 348 yards and 5 TDs with zero interceptions.
Emmett Johnson is a special talent
No one needed any real convincing that the Chiefs found a fifth-round gem in former Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson in last spring's draft. The flashes in relief of Kenneth Walker were evidence enough. But with K9 sidelined with a sore groin, Johnson had the lead back role all to himself for a Sunday afternoon, and the results were spectacular.
Johnson finished the day with 101 rushing yards on 22 carries to go with 70 yards on 6 catches and 2 touchdowns through the air. That's 171 total yards from scrimmage on 28 touches, making it clear that he's not only a weapon to be trusted week to week, but that the Chiefs can play it safe with Walker as he nurses a sore groin injury that wasn't reported until the last day of practice.
A greater challenge to O-line depth
The Chiefs came into Week 10 missing two starters up front: left tackle Josh Simmons (back) and right tackle Jaylon Moore (ankle). After the first quarter against the Falcons, the Chiefs also watched Trey Smith leave the field, and he was quickly placed into the team's concussion protocol. That's the second head injury concern for the Chiefs' O-line in the last month (Moore missed two games with a concussion a few weeks ago).
The strain placed on an offense is great when the protection is questionable in multiple spots. The first snap taken by Mike Caliendo yielded disruption from Gervon Dexter straight up the middle, which added to the frustration outside. That trend would continue on the right side between the struggles of Caliendo and Josh Ezeudu. The Chiefs have to find long-term answers if either injury carries into Week 11 or beyond.
Josh Downs is going to be a big help
Downs got some early chances to make a difference on special teams as a new punt returner following Nikko Remigio's release, but it was his offensive contributions that turned heads in his Chiefs debut. The team's newest acquisition via the Colts at the NFL's trade deadline, Downs finished the game with 4-53-1, including a beautiful back-shoulder catch in the end zone in the second quarter to put the Chiefs up 14-3. That Mahomes has another trusted target is going to be a major boost going forward.
Jawaan Taylor is the gift that keeps on giving
For a split second, it was possible for Chiefs fans to talk themselves into a midseason reunion with Jawaan Taylor at the trade deadline, given the Chiefs' injury concerns at tackle. On Sunday, however, Taylor reminded the Kingdom just how infuriating it can be watching him as the home team with two more false start penalties that stalled Falcons' drives. It's par for the course with Taylor, who was notorious for such miscues during his three-year stint in K.C. To his credit, however, the Falcons shot themselves in the foot numerous times, as even Chris Lindstrom and Jake Matthews joined him in the penalty box up front.
The Chiefs just can't quit special teams mistakes
Someone, somewhere has a voodoo doll of Dave Toub. That's the only explanation for the consistent special teams miscues. Week after week, year after year. In fact, the consistency is actually quite admirable. The shanked punt to start the second quarter. The muffed punt return by Josh Downs. A false start for Andrew Armstrong. A holding call on Jaden Hicks. The onside recovery allowed in the fourth. It's such a regular occurrence, and former Chiefs lineman Tim Grunhard expresses it best:
Doesn’t it feel like there’s a penalty on every ST return this year? 🤷♂️
— Tim Grunhard (@grunny61) November 15, 2026
Tight end injuries pile up
The Chiefs' offensive limitations started to stack up quickly on Sunday afternoon, especially at tight end. Travis Kelce left for the locker room with a reaggravation of a left ankle injury that he's been nursing for weeks. Shortly thereafter, Jared Wiley was carted off the field with an ankle injury of his own. Just like that, the Chiefs were down to Noah Gray as their primary option at tight end, with Jake Briningstool as TE2. Kelce was able to return, but his ankle will be a major focus going forward.
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