Mahomes' Perfect Start Powers a Chiefs Overhaul in Miami

MIAMI GARDENS — Patrick Mahomes didn't just dissect the Dolphins secondary at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. He disguised everything.

Completing his first eleven passes to seven different receivers, Mahomes turned Miami's fearless, blitz-happy defense into spectators early, powering Kansas City to a 23-17 win in a showdown between two of the league's most exciting young teams.

It was a harmonious and hyperactive performance from the Chiefs offense — motion on almost every snap, tempo that never let Miami substitute, and Mahomes in total command.

Miami did find ways to get its offense on the field late, but Kansas City's personable star showed again why the Chiefs are set for another title run. There is history here, after all. This is the same building where Mahomes won his first Super Bowl — Super Bowl LIV over the 49ers — and he played like he owned the place again.

By the numbers:

•  Patrick Mahomes: 246 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT — 11-for-11 to start

•  Rashee Rice: 7 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD — Mahomes' favorite target on third down

•  Kenneth Walker: 70 rushing yards, provided the early tone-setter on the ground

The Chiefs didn't dominate time of possession like they did a week ago in Indianapolis — when they held the ball for 37 minutes in an overtime win against the Colts — but they were ruthlessly efficient in their 25 and a half minutes on Sunday.

• Malik Willis: 210 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT - 9 attempts, 56 yards

• Ollie Gordon ll: 17 attempts, 41 yards, 1 TD

• Devon Achane: Did Not Return

The dagger came with 3:00 remaining. Mahomes guided Kansas City (3-0) on a crisp five-play, 47-yard touchdown drive to make it 24-10, capping it with a strike to Rice. One week earlier, the former Texas Tech standout had led two overtime field-goal scoring drives to beat the Colts. This week, he didn't need overtime.

To their credit, Dolphins defenders did land a punch midway through the game, jumping a route to intercept Mahomes and briefly swinging momentum.

Miami's confidence was still on display despite a brutal early blow — Devon Achane was injured just five plays into the game. In his absence, rookie Ollie Gordon II emerged with tough, between-the-tackles runs that kept the Dolphins within striking distance.

Malik Willis threw for 210 yards, and completed twenty passes for the Dolphins, who are (0-3) for the second year in a row.

Willis and the Dolphins offense failed to get anything after their first drive ended with a field goal that closed the closed the gap to four points. Thinking back to the beginning of the drive, Willis showed his arm strength when he connected on a 42 yard-pass that was caught in the deep middle by Greg Dulcich, and setup the Dolphins at the Kansas City 30. But, on a challenging day, Miami revealed their inexperience when Malik Washington was called for illegal shift, on a pass that he caught in the end zone.

Fearless defense, though, wasn't enough. Not against this version of Mahomes. Not in this building.