NFL Week 8 Game Recap: Kansas City Chiefs 20, New York Giants 17

The shorthanded New York Giants put up a valiant effort on the road in Arrowhead Stadium, but Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs offense down the field to set up a Harrison Butker go-ahead field goal with 1:07 remaining in the game. The Giants couldn’t get into field goal range on their final drive to tie the game and ultimately fell to the Chiefs, 20-17.

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Kansas City Chiefs

Quarterback

Mahomes completed his first eight pass attempts but threw another inadvertent interception shortly after that bounced off his receiver's facemask and into Julian Love‘s hands. Mahomes lofted multiple throws into traffic and recorded his second game of the season with zero big-time throws and at least two turnover-worthy plays.

Patrick Mahomes by target depth

Overall, Mahomes completed 60.4% of his passes for 275 yards and a 74.2 passer rating.

Running Backs

Darrel Williams surprisingly split carries with Derrick Gore, and both backs moved the ball efficiently in their own respective ways. Williams averaged just 3.8 yards per carry but caught six passes for 61 yards and three first downs.

Meanwhile, Gore stunned everyone initially with his performance, as the undrafted running back carried the ball 11 times for 48 yards and a score. He moved the sticks throughout the night, as five of his 11 attempts resulted in a first down. Gore played just 15 offensive snaps but proved to be a serviceable running back.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

The Chiefs made it clear that they were going to target Tyreek Hill as much as possible, as the speedy receiver was targeted 18 times — tied for the second-most of his career. Hill hauled in 12 passes for 94 yards, nine first downs and a score. Despite the high-usage rate, Hill only managed to gain 15 yards or more on one reception.

Travis Kelce had another disappointing performance, finishing with his lowest receiving grade of the season (43.8, upon first review). Kelce's fumble in the third quarter later resulted in a Giants touchdown. He was targeted just six times on 47 routes run and caught four for 27 yards and zero first downs.

Offensive Line

The Chiefs offensive line had one of its better pass-blocking performances of the season, limiting the damage to just seven pressures and zero sacks. Orlando Brown Jr. and Lucas Niang didn't allow a single pressure while rookie center Creed Humphrey allowed just one hurry.

As a unit, the offensive line earned an 88.1 pass-blocking grade (upon first review) — the second-highest in Week 8.

Defensive Line

Frank Clark and Chris Jones made plays down the stretch of the game, as both sacked Jones on the Giants' final drive to help seal the game. The duo combined for 10 of the team’s 14 pressures, as both notched a win rate above 17%. Clark received the highest defensive grade on the team (90.8, upon first review).

Linebackers

Willie Gay Jr. made an immediate impact when he intercepted Jones on New York's first pass attempt of the game, setting up a Chiefs touchdown. Gay was targeted just once the rest of the game, and he allowed seven yards and zero first downs. He also generated four defensive stops and two tackles for loss or no gain against the run.

Secondary

L’Jarius Sneed, Charvarius Ward and Daniel Sorensen were the only Chiefs defensive backs who allowed a reception in the game. Sorensen gave up a team-high 65 yards and a touchdown while Sneed and Ward both conceded at least six receptions for 45 or more yards.

New York Giants

Quarterback

Daniel Jones’ night got off to a rocky start, as the Giants quarterback threw an interception on his first pass attempt of the game. Nevertheless, Jones fanned the flames and made the most of his injury-riddled receiver core, throwing for 222 yards and two touchdowns. With limited options, Jones threw fairly conservatively, as 78.1% of his throws went short of the sticks. He finished with a 4.3-yard average depth of target.

Jones’ 37.9 passing grade (upon first review) ranks last among starting quarterbacks in Week 8.

Running Backs

Devontae Booker started slow but played better as the game progressed. Booker averaged four yards per carry on 15 attempts while also proving to be an effective pass catcher. The veteran running back caught five of his six targets for 65 yards while averaging 13.8 yards after the catch per reception.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney returned after missing New York's Week 7 matchup against Carolina, but it was short-lived, as both players missed portions of the game with injuries. Shepard exited the game with a quad injury while Toney left and later returned from a thumb injury. Nonetheless, Toney made little-to-no impact after re-entering the game. Both players posted nearly identical stat lines, as each receiver caught four passes for less than 30 yards

John Ross led the Giants with 72 receiving yards while tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Evan Engram each scored a touchdown.

Offensive Line

The Giants offensive line performed admirably until the final drive. Billy Price was the only offensive lineman who didn't allow a pressure but as a whole, the unit conceded 10 pressures and two fourth-quarter sacks. Matt Peart allowed three pressures and was the only lineman to get beaten multiple times in pass protection. 

Defensive Line

The Giants totaled 17 pressures in the game, but 10 were either cleanup or in pursuit after Mahomes already left the pocket. Quincy Roche led the team with four pressures while Leonard Williams earned New York's lone sack of the game.

Azeez Ojulari had an off night when the Giants needed him to step up, as he managed just one pressure and a 5.4% win rate.

Linebackers

It was a night to forget for the Giants linebackers, as none of the starters graded above 50.0 (upon first review). Tae Crowder generated two defensive stops against the run but allowed six receptions for 74 yards and six first downs.

Secondary

Despite allowing Hill to run rampant all over the field, nobody in the GIants secondary was allowed more than 40 yards in coverage. Darnay Holmes allowed a team-high four receptions and 39 receiving yards. Julian Love picked off Mahomes in the first quarter but gave up a touchdown on the next drive.

Adoree’ Jackson allowed a completion on three of his six targets for eight yards. Jackson also forced an incomplete pass to complement his 90.4 coverage grade (upon first review).