Philadelphia defeated Kansas City 20 to 17 at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14, 2025, in a defensive battle decided by fourth quarter execution. Patrick Mahomes totaled 253 yards and two touchdowns, Saquon Barkley ground out 88 rushing yards with a score, and Andrew Mukuba’s red zone interception swung the outcome. The Eagles improved to 2 and 0 while Kansas City dropped to 0 and 2 for the first time since 2014.
Table of Contents
Game Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Eagles 20, Chiefs 17 |
| Date | September 14, 2025 |
| Stadium | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium |
| Attendance | 73,558 |
| Weather | 88 degrees, 46% humidity, 12 mph wind |
Quarterback Performance
Philadelphia Eagles
| Player | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Rating | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Hurts | 15/22 | 101 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 78.0 | 28 |
Kansas City Chiefs
| Player | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Rating | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | 16/29 | 187 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 72.1 | 49 |
Hurts completed 68 percent of his attempts compared to 55 percent for Mahomes. The completion percentage gap reflected decision making under pressure. Hurts avoided turnovers and hit his checkdowns while Mahomes suffered a costly interception off Travis Kelce’s hands in the red zone during the fourth quarter. Both quarterbacks faced constant pressure, with Philadelphia’s offensive line allowing 15 total pressures and Kansas City’s giving up 21.
Ground Attack Breakdown
Philadelphia Eagles
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saquon Barkley | 22 | 88 | 4.0 | 1 | 13 |
| Jalen Hurts | 9 | 15 | 1.7 | 1 | 11 |
| AJ Dillon | 3 | 19 | 6.3 | 0 | 8 |
Kansas City Chiefs
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes | 7 | 66 | 9.4 | 1 | 22 |
| Kareem Hunt | 8 | 31 | 3.9 | 0 | 11 |
| Isiah Pacheco | 10 | 22 | 2.2 | 0 | 7 |
Mahomes scrambled effectively as the pocket collapsed, gaining 66 yards on seven attempts. He broke tackles and extended plays throughout the first half with receivers unable to get separation. His 13 yard rushing touchdown gave Kansas City a 10 to 7 lead in the second quarter. Barkley fought through contact throughout the game against a loaded box, averaging exactly four yards per carry as Kansas City’s defense committed to stopping the run. Dillon contributed a spark with 19 yards on just three attempts spelling Barkley.
Pass Catching Leaders
Philadelphia Eagles
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD | Long | Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeVonta Smith | 4 | 53 | 13.3 | 0 | 28 | 6 |
| A.J. Brown | 5 | 27 | 5.4 | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Grant Calcaterra | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| Saquon Barkley | 2 | 6 | 3.0 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| Kylen Granson | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Jahan Dotson | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
Kansas City Chiefs
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD | Long | Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Kelce | 4 | 61 | 15.3 | 0 | 23 | 6 |
| Tyquan Thornton | 2 | 59 | 29.5 | 1 | 49 | 5 |
| Marquise Brown | 5 | 30 | 6.0 | 0 | 11 | 5 |
| Nikko Remigio | 1 | 21 | 21.0 | 0 | 21 | 1 |
| Isiah Pacheco | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
Smith delivered on third and 10 in the fourth quarter, hauling in a 28 yard grab that set up first and goal at the three yard line. Brown saw eight targets but Kansas City’s defense bracketed him consistently, holding him to just 27 yards. Thornton provided the only explosive play late in the game with his 49 yard touchdown catch that cut the deficit to three with three minutes remaining.
Defensive Statistics
Philadelphia Eagles
| Player | Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | QB Hits | INT | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper DeJean | 8 | 6 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jihaad Campbell | 7 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Zack Baun | 6 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Andrew Mukuba | 6 | 5 | 0.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jordan Davis | 5 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Za’Darius Smith | 4 | 2 | 0.5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Moro Ojomo | 2 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Kansas City Chiefs
| Player | Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | QB Hits | INT | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamarri Conner | 9 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jaylen Watson | 9 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Drue Tranquill | 6 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nick Bolton | 6 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bryan Cook | 4 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Leo Chenal | 4 | 2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Omarr Norman-Lott | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Philadelphia’s defense held Kansas City to 294 total yards and forced the turnover. According to Pro Football Reference, the Eagles held them to a 33 percent conversion rate on third down. DeJean led the tackle count while providing sticky coverage on the outside. Mukuba made the biggest play of the afternoon with his red zone interception.
Special Teams Impact
| Team | Kicker | FG Made/Att | Long | XP | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagles | Jake Elliott | 2/2 | 58 | 2/2 | 8 |
| Chiefs | Harrison Butker | 1/2 | 56 | 2/2 | 5 |
| Team | Punter | Punts | Average | Long | Inside 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagles | Braden Mann | 5 | 54.8 | 70 | 1 |
| Chiefs | Matt Araiza | 3 | 59.3 | 69 | 2 |
Elliott delivered from distance with Philadelphia needing points. He connected from 58 and 51 yards out at key moments. His 58 yarder as time expired in the second quarter tied the game at 10 and sent Philadelphia into halftime with confidence. Butker missed a 58 yard attempt in the first quarter, a kick that would have provided Kansas City early confidence and possibly changed the complexion of the entire game.
Overall Team Comparison
| Category | Eagles | Chiefs |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 216 | 294 |
| First Downs | 16 | 17 |
| Third Down Conversions | 5/14 (36%) | 4/12 (33%) |
| Fourth Down Conversions | 1/1 (100%) | 2/3 (67%) |
| Time of Possession | 32:34 | 27:26 |
| Penalties | 6 for 48 yards | 6 for 45 yards |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 2/2 (100%) | 1/2 (50%) |
The margin in this contest came down to three critical areas:
- Turnovers: Eagles 0, Chiefs 1 (Mukuba’s red zone interception)
- Red Zone Touchdowns: Eagles 2 for 2 (100%), Chiefs 1 for 2 (50%)
- Time of Possession: Eagles held the ball 5:08 longer (32:34 vs 27:26)
Game Deciding Moments
Four critical plays swung this contest in Philadelphia’s favor:
- Mukuba’s red zone interception off Kelce’s deflection with Kansas City driving for the go ahead score early in the fourth quarter
- Elliott’s clutch field goals from 58 and 51 yards that provided all the margin Philadelphia needed
- Philadelphia’s fourth down stop in the third quarter when they stuffed Hunt at the Kansas City 36 yard line
- Smith’s 28 yard catch on third and 10 that set up the go ahead touchdown with under eight minutes remaining
How the Game Unfolded
Barkley punched in a 13 yard touchdown late in the first quarter after Butker’s 58 yard miss set up Philadelphia in scoring territory. The Eagles capitalized with an eight play drive that featured runs from Barkley and Dillon mixing with short passes from Hurts.
Mahomes responded by using his legs to create plays. He scrambled multiple times to keep drives alive as receivers couldn’t shake free from defenders. The Chiefs quarterback gained 60 rushing yards in the first half alone before Philadelphia’s defense made adjustments. Mahomes capped a 10 play drive with a 13 yard rushing touchdown that put Kansas City ahead 10 to 7 early in the second quarter.
Elliott drilled a 58 yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter to tie the game at 10. The kick came after Philadelphia drove into Kansas City territory with under a minute remaining. Hurts completed passes to Brown and Smith to move into field goal range before the Eagles called timeout to set up Elliott’s attempt.
The Eagles defense dominated the third quarter. They stuffed Hunt on fourth and one at the Kansas City 36 yard line, forcing a turnover on downs that put the Eagles in prime field position. Elliott followed with a 51 yard field goal three plays later for a 13 to 10 advantage.
Kansas City drove deep into Eagles territory early in the fourth quarter, reaching the Philadelphia 13 yard line. Hunt converted fourth and one to keep the drive alive, powering through the line for three yards. Two plays later, Mahomes targeted Kelce in the end zone on a stick route the tight end has run thousands of times. The pass hit Kelce’s hands but bounced into the air. Mukuba grabbed the deflection for an interception.
The Eagles official website reported that Mukuba returned the pick 41 yards to give Philadelphia the ball at midfield. The Eagles converted the turnover into points with a methodical 10 play drive that ate 5:08 off the clock. Hurts capped the drive with a tush push from one yard out on fourth down. Philadelphia led 20 to 10 with 7:48 remaining.
Mahomes refused to surrender. He found Thornton deep down the right sideline for a 49 yard touchdown with three minutes left. The score cut Philadelphia’s lead to three and kept Kansas City’s hopes alive. The Chiefs attempted an onside kick but Brown recovered for Philadelphia. The Eagles picked up a crucial first down with Barkley runs and Hurts kneel downs to seal the victory.
Key Individual Performances
Mukuba finished with six tackles, half a sack, and the game changing interception that swung momentum. The safety made the biggest play of his young career by being in position when Kelce couldn’t secure the catch. DeJean led all defenders with eight tackles and delivered physical coverage against Chiefs receivers throughout the game. Davis batted down two passes at the line of scrimmage and clogged running lanes with his massive presence throughout the game.
Smith delivered the clutch catch when Philadelphia needed it most. His 28 yard reception on third and 10 came against tight coverage from cornerback Trent McDuffie and set up the go ahead touchdown. Mahomes compiled impressive game statistics with 253 total yards and two touchdowns, but the absence of Rashee Rice (suspended) and Xavier Worthy (out with a dislocated shoulder) limited his options in the passing game.
Elliott’s leg from distance proved invaluable in this defensive struggle. His two long field goals provided all the cushion Philadelphia needed in a game where both offenses struggled to reach the end zone. Sports journalist Dave Spadaro noted that complementary football wins these tight defensive battles where neither offense dominates.
Critical Factors in the Outcome
Philadelphia converted both red zone opportunities into touchdowns, executing perfectly in the scoring area. Kansas City managed just one touchdown on two red zone trips, with Mukuba’s interception ending the other possession. That efficiency gap explains the three point margin. The Eagles scored on runs after Kansas City stacked the box, catching the defense out of position.
Both teams struggled on third down with Philadelphia at 36 percent and Kansas City at 33 percent. Fourth down conversions mattered more in this game. The Eagles went 1 for 1 while the Chiefs converted 2 of 3. Philadelphia’s third quarter stop when they stuffed Hunt gave them field position for an Elliott field goal that put them ahead.
The lone turnover decided the outcome. Mukuba’s interception came at the worst possible time for Kansas City as they drove for a potential go ahead score. Hurts made smart decisions with the football, never forcing throws into coverage and finding his underneath options with primary receivers blanketed.
Philadelphia controlled possession for 32:34 compared to 27:26 for Kansas City. That five minute advantage kept Mahomes on the sideline during critical stretches. The Eagles ran 58 offensive plays to 57 for the Chiefs despite trailing for part of the game. Nick Sirianni’s strategy focused on clock control through Barkley runs and short passes that kept the chains moving.
Philadelphia held Kansas City to 173 net passing yards after accounting for sacks. The Eagles rushed four defenders on most plays but generated consistent pressure with defensive line stunts and twists. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters his offense needed better red zone execution after settling for field goals instead of touchdowns.
What Happened Next
Philadelphia improved to 2 and 0 with the victory and proved their defense can shut down elite quarterbacks in low scoring battles. Hurts’ ball security and willingness to throw underneath without forcing big plays stood in contrast to Mahomes’ costly fourth quarter turnover. The Eagles hosted the Los Angeles Rams the following week in their home opener at Lincoln Financial Field, continuing their strong start to the season.
Kansas City fell to 0 and 2, matching their worst start since 2014 after opening that season with losses to Tennessee and Denver before turning things around. The Chiefs desperately needed Rice to return from suspension and Worthy to recover from his dislocated shoulder injury. The receiving corps lacked explosiveness without their top two targets. Kansas City traveled to face the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football searching for their first win of the season. The loss marked the first time Mahomes started a season 0 and 2 in his career as a starter.
For comprehensive NFL analysis, game recaps, and player performance metrics throughout the season, check out The Sportie.
Philadelphia’s defense stepped up in crunch time during the fourth quarter. Mukuba’s interception and Elliott’s field goals from 58 and 51 yards combined with turnover-free ball security to secure the three-point victory. Both teams battled through 88 degree heat at Arrowhead Stadium, but the Eagles’ perfect red zone execution at 2 for 2 and zero giveaways proved the difference in a game decided by one interception.
