Walker Scores Three Touchdowns as Chiefs Beat Jets 35-12

Updated 02:07 UTC

Update: An MRI on Sunday night showed that Patrick Mahomes did not suffer a significant injury to his right elbow, theScore and USA Today reported, both citing reporter Ian Rapoport. Mahomes hurt the elbow late in the first half when Jets rookie David Bailey strip sacked him, left the field holding his right arm, and returned for the next series without missing a play. After the game he said the elbow had stopped him throwing the way he wanted, said he would have more tests, and said: "If I'm able to play, I'm gonna play." theScore reported that his elbow will be monitored over the next few days.

Kenneth Walker III scored three touchdowns and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the New York Jets 35-12 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Sunday. The Week 9 result ended a two-game losing streak for Kansas City.

The win moved the Chiefs to 6-2 on the season. The Jets fell to 2-7 and lost their fourth straight game, scoring no touchdown and relying on field goals for all 12 of their points.

Walker leads the scoring

Walker caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes in the first half and added a 25-yard touchdown catch from Mahomes before halftime. In the third quarter, he ran for a 2-yard touchdown to complete his three-score day.

He finished with 18 carries for 102 yards on the ground and four catches for 41 yards through the air. His third touchdown took him to 11 total touchdowns on the season, tied with Jahmyr Gibbs for the league lead. It was the kind of all-around performance that touched every part of the Kansas City attack, as a runner between the tackles and as a receiver out of the backfield.

Mahomes, Kelce and a second-half shutout

Mahomes finished 23 of 31 passing for 242 yards, with both of his touchdown passes going to Walker. Travis Kelce caught four passes for 72 yards and also scored a one-yard rushing touchdown on fourth and goal.

Kansas City outscored New York 21-0 after halftime, turning a close game at the break into a clear final margin. Emmett Johnson capped the scoring with a six-yard rushing touchdown, and Harrison Butker's extra point put the Chiefs ahead 35-12 with 3:39 remaining.

There was one concern for Kansas City before halftime. Mahomes hurt his right elbow on a sack by Jets first-rounder David Bailey just before the break, on a play where the Chiefs lost a fumble. Mahomes remained in the game, however, and showed no visible negative impact in the second half as Kansas City pulled away.

Jets stall without a touchdown

Jets quarterback Geno Smith was sacked five times, twice by Chris Jones and twice by George Karlaftis, as the Kansas City pass rush kept New York under steady pressure. The Jets settled for five field goal tries and scored no touchdown in the game.

Jason Sanders made four of those field goals, from 23, 48, 49 and 54 yards, accounting for all 12 New York points. Four made kicks kept the Jets on the scoreboard, but without a touchdown they never matched the scoring pace Kansas City set in the second half.

What comes next

Kansas City next plays in Atlanta next Sunday, carrying a 6-2 record and the end of its two-game losing streak into that trip. The Jets host the Buffalo Bills next Sunday, looking to stop a run of four straight losses after falling to 2-7 at Arrowhead Stadium.

For the Chiefs, the afternoon brought a return to winning form at home, a league-leading touchdown total for Walker and a second half in which they scored 21 points and allowed none. For the Jets, it brought another defeat, another game without a touchdown and another week of questions at 2-7.