The Washington Commanders‘ magical 2024 season, which saw rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels lead them to a 12-5 record and the NFC Championship game, is proving difficult to replicate. The assumed upward trajectory has instead hit a significant speed bump in 2025. Now sitting at a disappointing 3-5, Washington matched its entire loss total from last season following a decisive 28-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football.

The contest at Arrowhead Stadium was a stark reminder of how quickly the NFL landscape can shift, particularly when a team loses its cornerstone player. With Daniels sidelined due to a low-grade right hamstring strain—his third missed start of the young season—the Commanders were forced to rely on backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. While they fought admirably for a half, the disparity in talent and depth eventually overwhelmed them in the second half.

First Half Fight: A Glimmer of Hope

The game began with an unexpected twist, suggesting an upset might be brewing. The heavily-favored Chiefs started slowly, with superstar QB Patrick Mahomes throwing two interceptions on the team’s first two possessions, matching his total from the entire season leading up to the game.

Washington’s offense, despite moving the ball, struggled to capitalize on Kansas City’s early mistakes, turning the ball over on downs twice and throwing an interception of their own. However, they found the end zone late in the half. Mariota connected with star wide receiver Terry McLaurin on a spectacular 11-yard touchdown catch, where McLaurin managed to keep both feet inbounds for the score. This moment of brilliance tied the game at 7-7 at halftime, giving the underdog Commanders a much-needed lift. Mariota finished the game going 21-of-30 for 213 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, along with 28 rushing yards on eight carries. McLaurin, in his return from a quad injury, finished with three catches for 54 yards, though he was held out of the fourth quarter as a precaution.

Chiefs’ Second-Half Surge and the Daniels Void

The competitive spirit of the first half faded quickly after the break. The Chiefs’ elite offense found its rhythm, and Washington’s offense, without the dynamic Daniels, simply could not keep pace.

Kansas City scored touchdowns on three consecutive second-half possessions, showcasing their championship-caliber depth and execution:

• Mahomes hit running back Kareem Hunt for a 2-yard touchdown.
• Travis Kelce hauled in a 10-yard scoring pass, which was a historic milestone. The touchdown was the 83rd of Kelce’s career, officially tying him with Priest Holmes for the Chiefs’ all-time touchdown record.
• Wide receiver Rashee Rice added an 18-yard touchdown to complete the second-half blowout.

Mahomes ultimately rebounded from his shaky start to finish 25-of-34 for 299 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

For Washington, the second half illustrated the fragility of their success without Daniels. While Mariota played an adequate game, the Chiefs’ defense clamped down on crucial downs, preventing Washington from sustaining drives. The Commanders simply lack the necessary talent across the board to overcome an injury to their most valuable player, particularly against an AFC powerhouse like the Chiefs.

An Uphill Battle

The loss drops the Commanders to 3-5, a difficult position in a deep NFC. More critically, they are now three games behind the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East, making a division title an unrealistic goal. The path to a Wild Card spot is also arduous, with Daniels’ recurring injuries being a major concern. The rookie-year durability questions surrounding Daniels—who missed two games earlier this season with a left knee sprain—are resurfacing.

General Manager Adam Peters and the coaching staff have focused on being cautious with Daniels’ health, with coach Dan Quinn expressing hope for a Week 9 return against the Seattle Seahawks. However, the recurring lower-body issues create an unsettling parallel to the franchise’s past struggles with star rookie quarterbacks.

The 2024 playoff run was a franchise highlight, but the 2025 season has quickly devolved into a fight for relevance. The Commanders are learning a harsh but common lesson in the NFL: sustaining a “magical” season is far harder than achieving it the first time. Getting back into the playoff picture will require not only the return of a healthy Jayden Daniels but also a level of consistency and depth that was clearly missing on Monday night.