Key takeaways from first half of Chiefs vs. Washington Week 6

The first half between the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Football Team has been a low-scoring affair, with defensive play at the forefront between two of the league’s worst defensive units. The defense came out ready to play, but continued turnovers on offense and an injury to defensive signal-caller Anthony Hitchens have stressed the unit. Kansas City will get a chance to turn things around coming out of the break after trailing 13-10 at the half.

Here are our biggest takeaways from the first half of the Chiefs’ game vs. Washington:

Defensive performance a positive, but offense fails to capitalize

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The Chiefs defense has answered the bell after being hailed as the worst defense in the league through five games. Save for the opening drive the offense hasn’t been able to hold up their end of the bargain.

Kansas City kicked off with a number of changes on the defensive side of the ball and it reinvigorated the defense. On the first drive of the game, they forced a quick three-and-out. The offense in turn was able to capitalize with a 95-yard touchdown drive. Since then, things have been bleak offensively.

The defense has forced performed well so far, boasting run stuff, pressures and pass breakups, in turn forcing two punts, two field goals and a rare turnover. The offense had five drives in either an interception, fumble, field goal or punt.

The Chiefs desperately need to do something to get the offense going in the second half or it’s going to be another frustrating day for this team.

Chiefs get aggressive on fourth down

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The Chiefs have been the most hesitant team in the league this season when it comes to going for it on fourth down. Prior to today, they had one fourth-down attempt all season long. Well, Andy Reid was feeling frisky in the first half on Sunday against Washington.

On fourth-and-1 at the Chiefs’ own 47, on the opening offensive drive of the game, Reid kept his offense on the field. They handed the ball off to RB Darrel Williams, who took it right through the teeth of the Washington defense and managed a five-yard gain on the play.

This type of aggression is a welcomed departure from the norm for Kansas City. It shows that Reid is trusting his guy and is willing to take some chances in order to get this offense firing on all cylinders. Hopefully, they keep it up for all four quarters.

Turnovers a continued death knell on offense

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After the first half in Washington, the Chiefs’ offense leads the NFL with the most turnovers in the NFL with 13 combined interceptions and fumbles. Their turnover differential is currently -8, which is still good for 31st in the NFL. The defense forced a fumble recovery today to make that number easier to stomach, but it’s still not good.

The biggest problem in the Chiefs’ losses this season has been their inability to get out of their own way. They’ve given up turnovers every step of the way and they’re the continued death knell of this team. They force everyone to get a little bit sloppier on both sides of the ball. Mahomes continues to make questionable decisions with the football when he doesn’t have to.

If Kansas City can’t hang onto the football in the second half, they’ll have no chance in this one.

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