Chiefs enter bye week unbeaten at 4-0
The Kansas City Chiefs entered their Week 5 bye with a perfect 4-0 record, giving Patrick Mahomes and his teammates an early opportunity to recover and prepare for upcoming challenges. Wins over the Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders strengthened Kansas City’s position.
However, injuries to key receivers added concerns for head coach Andy Reid and his coaching staff. The Chiefs now face the Los Angeles Chargers as they look to extend their undefeated start.
Mahomes gets additional time for knee recovery
Patrick Mahomes began the 2026 season after undergoing surgery to repair torn anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments in his left knee. He suffered the injuries during Kansas City’s December 2025 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chiefs’ Week 5 bye gave Mahomes a break from regular-season game action before the team’s October 18 matchup against Los Angeles. The team entered the bye with a 4-0 record after winning its first four games.
The Chiefs opened with a win over Denver
Kansas City began its regular season on September 14 by defeating the Denver Broncos 31-10 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Week 1 matchup took place on Monday Night Football.
Mahomes completed 15 of 27 passes for 184 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the victory. He also contributed seven rushing attempts for 23 yards and a touchdown, according to his official NFL game statistics.
Kansas City survives an overtime battle
The Chiefs faced a much closer contest in Week 2, beating the Indianapolis Colts 33-30 in overtime on September 20. The game marked Kansas City’s second consecutive victory to open the season.
Mahomes completed 32 of 47 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. His passing performance was his most productive of the first four games by yardage, according to the NFL’s official statistics.
The Dolphins fall to Kansas City
Kansas City continued its winning start on September 27 with a 24-10 road victory over the Miami Dolphins. The result improved the Chiefs’ record to 3-0 ahead of their final game before the bye.
Patrick Mahomes completed 20 of 24 passes for 246 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. His completion rate was 83.3%, his highest of the Chiefs’ first four games.
A late surge seals the Raiders victory
The Chiefs closed their opening stretch with a 30-27 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on October 4. The victory kept Kansas City undefeated after a competitive AFC West matchup that remained close late.
Mahomes completed 15 of 30 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. A 55-yard completion to Tyquan Thornton helped set up Kansas City’s go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Mahomes records nine touchdown passes
Patrick Mahomes threw 9 touchdown passes across Kansas City’s first four regular-season games, completing 82 of 128 attempts for 1,037 passing yards. He also threw 2 interceptions during that opening stretch.
His highest passing-yardage total came against Indianapolis on September 20, when he completed 32 of 47 passes for 382 yards and 3 touchdowns. Those numbers highlighted his passing production during the Chiefs’ 4-0 start following his knee surgery.
Interesting fact: The Kansas City Chiefs have won four Super Bowls, with their most recent victory coming against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024.
Kenneth Walker strengthens the running game
Running back Kenneth Walker III emerged as a major contributor during Kansas City’s undefeated opening stretch. Against Las Vegas on October 4, he rushed for 177 yards and scored 2 touchdowns, according to the game’s statistical record.
Walker entered the Week 5 bye with 537 rushing yards through 4 games, leading the league at that point. His production gave Kansas City an effective rushing option alongside Mahomes’ passing attack.
Tyquan Thornton suffers an ankle injury
Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton recorded the first 100-yard receiving game of his career against Las Vegas on October 4. He finished with 5 receptions for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns before suffering a dislocated ankle.
The injury created a significant concern for Kansas City’s receiving group as the team entered its Week 5 bye.
Rashee Rice’s injury adds to receiver concerns
Wide receiver Rashee Rice suffered a hamstring injury during Kansas City’s October 4 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and did not return to the game. The injury added to the Chiefs’ receiving concerns as the team entered its Week 5 bye.
Kansas City was scheduled to resume its season against the Los Angeles Chargers on October 18. Rice’s availability for that matchup remained uncertain as the team monitored his recovery.
Andy Reid reaches another early-season milestone
Head coach Andy Reid guided Kansas City to a 4-0 start in the 2026 NFL season after the Chiefs defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 30-27 on October 4. The victory completed a four-game winning streak before the team’s Week 5 bye.
Patrick Mahomes returned to regular-season action following surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left knee. The bye gave Kansas City a break before its scheduled October 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The early bye creates a long stretch ahead
Kansas City’s Week 5 bye arrived early in the 2026 NFL season, leaving the team without a regular-season game on October 10 and 11. The Chiefs were scheduled to return on October 18 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Their published schedule listed games in Weeks 6 through 18, with no additional bye week. The long stretch ahead made player health, preparation and workload management important considerations for the coaching staff.
Patrick Mahomes has faced questions about his form and the Chiefs’ direction, making his performances an important part of the team’s season story. Explore how Patrick Mahomes is rewriting the narrative around his NFL return.
The Chargers await Kansas City after the break
Kansas City was scheduled to return to action against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, October 18, at Arrowhead Stadium. The Week 6 matchup was the Chiefs’ first game following their Week 5 bye.
The Chargers entered the game after a difficult opening stretch of the 2026 season. Kansas City had won its first four games and would look to improve its record to 5-0 with another victory.
Quarterback milestones offer a way to measure how elite players build their careers across multiple seasons. Check out how Patrick Mahomes joins Tom Brady in a rare NFL quarterback milestone.
Do you think the Chiefs can maintain their winning streak after the bye week? Like this post and share your thoughts in the comments!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
Read More From This Brand:
