Sam McDowell
Verified- Sports Columnist, Kansas City Star
- Co-Host, Red Gold & Bold - A KC Football Podcast
Sports columnist for The Kansas City Star. Hit me up: smcdowell@kcstar.com.
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Articles by Sam McDowell
What the Chiefs can expect from Josh Downs — and what they should not expect
Back in September in Kansas City, the Colts stormed some 68 yards down the field on their opening drive for an eventual short touchdown. The most critical of the 11 plays came on a third-down snap. Josh Downs, a 5-foot-9 slot receiver, had torched Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed off the line of scrimmage, prying himself open on a slant pattern to prolong the drive. A couple of hours later, on yet another third down, Downs did it again, using a reception to move the sticks.
The Chiefs' offense has a new recipe but could still use one more ingredient
Kenneth Walker stood five yards shy of the line of scrimmage as he caught the football, the backdrop for his second of three touchdowns in the Chiefs' win Sunday, but when he turned around, he already figured the play would go for six. It's not that he could see the end zone just yet, but when he spun forward, his line of vision showed a trio of 300-pound blockers in front of him.
The Chiefs’ offense has a new recipe — but could still use one more ingredient
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom. Read our AI Policy. Kenneth Walker scored three touchdowns as the Chiefs beat the Jets 35-12. Mahomes ranks first in 2026 EPA when targeting running backs after ranking 50th. The Chiefs still seek wide receiver help as deep passing remains largely absent.
Five takeaways from Chiefs' 35-12 win over Jets
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Chiefs won a game comfortably after they spent the majority of it uncomfortable. That's especially the quarterback, who injured his elbow before returning.
Five things that stood out about the Chiefs’ win against the New York Jets
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom. Read our AI Policy. The Chiefs beat the Jets 35-12 to snap a two-game skid despite injuries. Mahomes injured his elbow on a sack, stayed in, and missed no offensive snap. Chiefs sacks stalled Jets drives as New York failed to score on five of them. The Chiefs won a game comfortably after they spent the majority of it uncomfortable. That’s especially the quarterback, who injured his elbow before returning.
The NFL trade deadline is nearing. Here’s what the Chiefs need to solve
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom. Read our AI Policy. Tyquan Thornton's 55-yard catch set up the Chiefs' go-ahead touchdown in Las Vegas. A left ankle dislocation on the tackle ended Thornton's season after the catch. Since Week 4, the Chiefs have not completed a pass thrown 20-plus yards downfield. The last catch Tyquan Thornton made this season swung a game in the Chiefs’ favor.
The Chiefs are chasing a statistical anomaly this season
The backdrop of each Chiefs practice summons an aesthetic reminder of the best seasons in franchise history. CHAMPIONS , a painted logo reads in bolded, red block lettering behind the practice field, with four Super Bowls listed underneath, three of which happen to be from this era. It's how we've come to identify the Chiefs now - as a team in the middle of a dynasty. It's how we grade them now, for that matter, on a scale from Super Bowl to bust.
Did the Chiefs have better options at the 1-yard line? Yes, this one.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The overhead freeze-frame on third down, with nine seconds remaining, suggests a clear path to the end zone. Well, it shows a clear path for the 31 teams that have the most simple of calls in their playbook.
Did the Chiefs have better options at the 1-yard line? Yes, this one
The overhead freeze-frame on third down, with nine seconds remaining, suggests a clear path to the end zone. Well, it shows a clear path for the 31 teams that have the most simple of calls in their playbook. This is the one that did not. The Chiefs’ final drive in Denver stalled at the 1-yard line — three times — in a 28-24 fourth-quarter collapse Sunday evening. The play that could have saved them is the play they’ve avoided calling since it injured their quarterback in 2019. The sneak.
The most troubling part of the Chiefs' loss in Denver is this familiarity
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The most effective running back in the NFL this season tucked the football into this right arm, and for a brief moment, it looked like he had an angle to the pylon. He came up just a single yard short.
Sam McDowell: The most troubling part of the Chiefs' loss in Denver is this familiarity
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The most effective running back in the NFL this season tucked the football into this right arm, and for a brief moment, it looked like he had an angle to the pylon. He came up just a single yard short. The play that won the Chiefs a Super Bowl, a walk-off touchdown to become the league’s first repeat champions in two decades, came next on the play sheet. But wouldn’t you know it, the Broncos have seen it a time or two. The pass was incomplete.
Five things that stood out about the Chiefs' loss to the Broncos in Denver
The Broncos beat the Chiefs 28-24 in Denver on Sunday with a goal-line stop as the clock expired. Here are five observations from immediately after the game. 1. The late stop. Again. A Chiefs comeback fell short. What's new? Well, maybe the drama of it. The Chiefs got within 1 yard of winning the game - and even thought they gained that yard before a faint false start flag waved it off. (There were a few, uh, circumstances that probably didn't please coach Andy Reid.) So, OK, that exact ending is new.
The most troubling part of the Chiefs’ loss in Denver is this familiarity
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom. Read our AI Policy. The Chiefs lost 28-24 in Denver after coming up one yard short at the goal line. Since 2023, the Chiefs have zero late touchdowns on 11 drives in that spot. Kansas City led by 11 in the fourth quarter but failed to close it out. The most effective running back in the NFL this season tucked the football into this right arm, and for a brief moment, it looked like he had an angle to the pylon. He came up just a single yard short.
Five thoughts from Chiefs' 28-24 loss to Broncos
DENVER - The race is on in the AFC West. The Denver Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs 28-24 in Denver on Sunday with a goal-line stop as the clock
The Chiefs signing Justin Tucker sparks some emotions. Surprise isn’t among them
The slumping kicker carried his equipment bag across the Chiefs’ practice field, still employed here, at least for the moment. In the distance, cameras turned and pointed their lenses elsewhere, now facing the most recent roster addition. At last, Harrison Butker has a reprieve from the widening public spotlight — but only because its glow is shining instead on a kicker more unsettling than the one enduring a slump.
Chiefs signing embattled kicker Justin Tucker to practice squad: Source
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Chiefs are bringing in competition for struggling kicker Harrison Butker - but it doesn't come without controversy. Justin Tucker will sign with the Chiefs' practice squad, a source told The Kansas City Star.
Chiefs signing embattled kicker Justin Tucker to the practice squad: Source
The Chiefs are bringing in competition for struggling kicker Harrison Butker — but it doesn’t come without controversy. Justin Tucker will sign with the Chiefs’ practice squad, a source told The Star. Tucker, a five-time first-team All-Pro, has been unemployed since the Ravens released him following his own kicking struggles in 2024.
Chiefs signing embattled kicker Justin Tucker to practice squad: Source
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs are bringing in competition for struggling kicker Harrison Butker — but it doesn’t come without controversy. Justin Tucker will sign with the Chiefs’ practice squad, a source told The Kansas City Star. Tucker, a five-time first-team All-Pro, has been unemployed since the Ravens released him following his own kicking struggles in 2024.
These five Chiefs flaws were exposed in Seattle. Here’s how solvable they are
Patrick Mahomes has walked off an NFL field as the losing quarterback just 36 times in his career, and that includes the playoffs. Only five of those were complete blowouts — games lost by more than two possessions — and that not only includes the playoffs but places much of its focus there. The first time Mahomes found himself on the wrong end of blowout came against Tampa Bay in Super Bowl LV. He scrambled the length of five football fields in that game. Not enough.
Patrick Mahomes needed help in Seattle. That help was sitting at home
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom. Read our AI Policy. Seattle beat Kansas City 20-3 as Patrick Mahomes lacked help at tackle and receiver. Josh Simmons is only now on injured reserve with a back injury. Rashee Rice missed his second straight game with a hamstring injury. The star quarterback and former Little League shortstop fired a sidearm pass, and on a night when nothing had gone right, he put a dot on the hands of his wide receiver.
Patrick Mahomes needed help in Seattle. That help was sitting at home
'She deserves respect': Swifties not happy after NFL team mocks Taylor Swift "She deserves respect just like every other player's spouse." The Seattle Seahawks handed the Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of the season on …
Five things that stood out about the Chiefs’ loss to the Seahawks on ‘SNF’
A trip to the Pacific Northwest placed the Chiefs in a rare position: hunting the defending Super Bowl champions. The result put them in a season-first. The Seahawks handed the Chiefs their first loss of the season, 20-3 at Lumen Field in Seattle. A rejuvenated Chiefs team faced its toughest test to date. There’s some work to do. The defense couldn’t slow a top wide receiver. The offense did not even reach the red zone. Here are five observations from immediately after the game: 1.
The Kansas City Chiefs' breakout player is a guy written off as a bust by many
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The Kansas City Chiefs’ breakout player is a guy written off as a bust by many
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom. Read our AI Policy. Felix Anudike-Uzomah has started all five games for the undefeated Chiefs. He underwent surgery on both hamstrings after a 2025 preseason injury. After 25 pressures in three seasons, he has 10 pressures in five weeks. The Chiefs gathered to watch film last week, sequencing play after play, when defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo saw something that prompted him to stop the tape.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ breakout player is a guy written off as a bust by many
Now The St. Louis Cardinals have some reasons for optimism as they continue rebuilding their roster, but the organization still has significant questions to answer before it can return to continual postseason contention. The Cardinals finished the 2026 season with a 77-85 record, placing fourth in the …
Patrick Mahomes reached 100 career wins with KC. He says this is his favorite
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom. Read our AI Policy. The best stretch of Patrick Mahomes' career, at least statistically, bridged his first year as a starting quarterback into his second. In 14 straight games, he threw multiple touchdown passes. He threw for 4,779 yards and 46 touchdowns in that span with a 118.9 passer rating, one of the best runs in NFL history. The wins look a bit different now statistically, but the subject of the sentence is the same. They're still wins.
Chiefs trainer explains why Josh Simmons is going on IR: 'Just not there yet'
Kansas City Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder explains the decision to place left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve (IR) with a back injury on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
The Chiefs' offense is rolling. But they need to make one change.
By Sam McDowell, The Kansas City Star KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Patrick Mahomes actually spotted the cutback lane before Kenneth Walker did. So in a weird twist, the most accomplished quarterback in the NFL found himself as the lead blocker on a rushing touchdown for the hottest running back in the NFL. Wait, that's not really the twist.
Is he eligible? Kansas roster is talk of Big 12 media day - but don't blame them
The consensus top prospect in college basketball sat behind a table inside T-Mobile Center in downtown Kansas City, prepared to take any and all questions, and for the 10 minutes after his head coach arrived, he received precisely zero. Tyran Stokes is the No. 1 recruit, yet before he plays an actual game for Kansas, he is no longer the most compelling aspect of the roster. The intrigue is that we can't know - heck, that they can't know - who is really even on the roster.
Sam McDowell: The Chiefs’ offense is rolling. But they need to make one change.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes actually spotted the cutback lane before Kenneth Walker did. So in a weird twist, the most accomplished quarterback in the NFL found himself as the lead blocker on a rushing touchdown for the hottest running back in the NFL. Wait, that’s not really the twist. This is: That cutback, aided by that block, is the only reason the Chiefs could execute a play inside the 5-yard line. Finally.
Sam McDowell: The Chiefs' offense is rolling. But they need to make one change.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes actually spotted the cutback lane before Kenneth Walker did. So in a weird twist, the most accomplished quarterback in the NFL found himself as the lead blocker on a rushing touchdown for the hottest running back in the NFL. Wait, that’s not really the twist. This is: That cutback, aided by that block, is the only reason the Chiefs could execute a play inside the 5-yard line. Finally.
Sam McDowell: The Chiefs’ offense is rolling. But they need to make one change.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes actually spotted the cutback lane before Kenneth Walker did. So in a weird twist, the most accomplished quarterback in the NFL found himself as the lead blocker on a rushing touchdown for the hottest running back in the NFL. Wait, that’s not really the twist. This is: That cutback, aided by that block, is the only reason the Chiefs could execute a play inside the 5-yard line. Finally.
Sam McDowell: The Chiefs’ offense is rolling. But they need to make one change.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes actually spotted the cutback lane before Kenneth Walker did. So in a weird twist, the most accomplished quarterback in the NFL found himself as the lead blocker on a rushing touchdown for the hottest running back in the NFL. Wait, that’s not really the twist. This is: That cutback, aided by that block, is the only reason the Chiefs could execute a play inside the 5-yard line. Finally.
The Chiefs’ offense is rolling. But they need to make one change
Patrick Mahomes actually spotted the cutback lane before Kenneth Walker did. So in a weird twist, the most accomplished quarterback in the NFL found himself as the lead blocker on a rushing touchdown for the hottest running back in the NFL. Wait, that’s not really the twist. This is: That cutback, aided by that block, is the only reason the Chiefs could execute a play inside the 5-yard line. Finally.
Five things that stood out about the Kansas City Chiefs' win vs. LA Chargers
There came a day over this summer, as Patrick Mahomes still wore a knee brace while throwing footballs, that the Chargers and Chiefs stood neck and neck in the market odds to win the AFC West title. Sure seems like a long time ago now, doesn't it? The Chiefs beat the Chargers 22-6 to remain unbeaten and keep the Chargers winless. Here are five observations from immediately after the game: 1.
Why Patrick Mahomes felt a sense of sentimentality in Chiefs’ win over Chargers
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom. Read our AI Policy. Patrick Mahomes revisited film of the play that ended his season last year. The injury occurred on this field and against this Chargers opponent. Mahomes said he needed to learn what had gone wrong on that play. Patrick Mahomes clicked through his film preparation last week, the advance scouting for the Chargers, when he saw a play he had avoided watching for the past 10 months. You know the one. The injury that changed everything.
Five things that stood out about the Kansas City Chiefs’ win vs. L.A. Chargers
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (9) scrambles in the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers NFL regular season game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Oct. 18, 2026. There came a day over this summer, as Patrick Mahomes still wore a knee brace while throwing footballs, that the Chargers and Chiefs stood neck and neck in the market odds to win the AFC West title. Sure seems like a long time ago now, doesn’t it?
Five things that stood out about the Kansas City Chiefs’ win vs. L.A. Chargers
There came a day over this summer, as Patrick Mahomes still wore a knee brace while throwing footballs, that the Chargers and Chiefs stood neck and neck in the market odds to win the AFC West title. Sure seems like a long time ago now, doesn't it? The Chiefs beat the Chargers 22-6 to remain unbeaten and keep the Chargers winless. Here are five observations from immediately after the game: There's not a sequence more indicative of the aforementioned separation than the end of the first half.
Time for me to come home. How a familiar face sparked Chiefs' offensive revival
Patrick Mahomes had ripped off his helmet by the time he reached the sideline. The Chiefs had gone three-and-out in a critical part of a game in Las Vegas, and on the listening end of the quarterback's frustration stood the offensive coordinator. Mahomes spent roughly a dozen seconds venting about a topic neither of them want to detail now, before Eric Bieniemy nodded his head. That was that. “I've had people ask me,” Bieniemy says. “Were you and Patrick arguing?” Well. And?
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