The Monday Night Football showdown on October 6, 2025 at Arrowhead Stadium turned into a headline‑making comeback when the Trevor Lawrence, quarterback of Jacksonville Jaguars rallied his side to a 31‑28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, who were led by Patrick Mahomes, quarterback of the Chiefs. The game also featured a game‑changing 99‑yard pick‑six by Devin Lloyd, linebacker for Jacksonville, while the Chiefs missed cornerback Kristian Fulton among six other inactives. The clash, part of Monday Night FootballArrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, delivered a dramatic swing that left fans reeling.
Game Overview: How the Lead Shifted
Kansas City stormed out of the gate, forcing a goal‑line fumble from Lawrence and then marching 97 yards for a touchdown. By the end of the first quarter the Chiefs held a tidy 14‑0 advantage. It felt like another chapter in their 22‑game streak of holding onto a 14‑point lead. But the Jaguars weren’t done.
Midway through the second quarter, Lawrence shook off that early mistake, guiding Jacksonville down the field and slamming in a one‑yard touchdown run despite being stepped on by a defender. The score crept to 14‑7, and momentum began its slow crawl toward the Jags.
Inactives and Their Impact
Both clubs entered the contest shorthanded. The Chiefs listed six players on the sidelines, the most notable being cornerback Kristian Fulton, who had been a starter in 12 of the first five games. Without him, the secondary looked a little tighter, but also a touch more vulnerable to big plays.
Jacksonville’s five missing pieces included defensive end Travon Walker, a key pass‑rusher. Walker’s absence forced the Jags to lean more heavily on linebacker Devin Lloyd to generate pressure, a role he embraced spectacularly.
- Chiefs inactive: Kristian Fulton (CB), Jared Wiley (TE), Elijah Mitchell (RB), Omarr Norman‑Lott (DT), Hunter Nourzad (OL), Malik Herring (DE)
- Jaguars inactive: Travon Walker (DE), Wyatt Milum (OL), Yasir Abdullah (LB), Danny Striggow (DL), Khalen Saunders Sr. (DT)
The depth chart adjustments were evident in the second half, as Kansas City struggled to rotate fresh defenders into the pass rush, while Jacksonville leaned on a tight group that knew each other's tendencies inside out.
Key Moments and the Turn‑of‑Events
Midway through the third, with the Chiefs still up 21‑13, a tipped pass off a Chiefs receiver was scooped up by Devin Lloyd. He streaked 99 yards back for a touchdown, the longest interception return in a Monday Night Football game this season. That play didn’t just add points; it ripped the emotional cord that had been holding Kansas City to its early lead.
Following the pick‑six, the Jaguars added a field goal to make it 21‑20. The Chiefs, now feeling the pressure of a shrinking lead, tried to settle for a short drive but were set back by an untimely holding penalty—one of the many miscues Mahomes later lamented.
In the fourth quarter, Lawrence orchestrated a two‑minute drill that culminated in a clutch 4‑yard touchdown pass to wideout Jordan Addison, giving Jacksonville a 27‑21 edge. After a missed extra point, the Chiefs scraped a field goal to cut the gap to 27‑24.
With just seconds remaining, Mahomes drove the ball deep, but an under‑thrown pass was intercepted by Jags safety Jordan Poyer, sealing a 31‑28 victory.
Reactions: Players, Coaches, and Analysts
“Obviously, it sucks. You let a game slip away. It still sucks whenever you get a lead and you’re not able to hold it,” Mahomes said on ESPN’s post‑game interview. He added, “We have the guys and we’ve executed at certain points in games and looked really good, but we crush ourselves with penalties and mistakes. In this league, those moments change games.”
Lawrence, smiling despite his earlier fumble, noted, “We stayed confident. That 99‑yard return gave us life. It’s a team thing—everybody believed we could come back.”
Analysts pointed out that Kansas City’s three losses so far have all been by a single score, a stark reversal from their 2024 campaign when they won a record 11 one‑score games. The pattern suggests the Chiefs’ earlier dominance when leading late is evaporating, perhaps due to a younger defensive unit and the lingering impact of injuries.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Both Teams
For Jacksonville, the win not only improves their record to 2‑2 but also proves they can thrive under pressure, even when missing a premier pass‑rusher. Coach Doug Pederson praised the roster’s depth, saying the win “shows we can adjust on the fly and still execute.”
Kansas City, now 2‑3, faces a crucial Week 6 matchup against the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs will need to tighten discipline, especially on penalties, if they hope to revive the streak that once kept them unbeaten when holding a 14‑point lead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Chiefs lose despite leading early?
Kansas City’s early advantage evaporated after a 99‑yard interception return by Devin Lloyd shifted momentum. Combined with key penalties, missed tackles and the absence of cornerback Kristian Fulton, the Chiefs could not sustain their lead.
How did the Jaguars manage the loss of Travun Walker?
Jacksonville leaned on linebacker Devin Lloyd to generate pressure, and the defensive line rotated tightly to compensate. The strategy paid off, especially on the game‑changing interception return.
What does this loss mean for Patrick Mahomes' season?
Mahomes’ frustrations highlight a growing pattern: the Chiefs are now losing three games by a single score. If they don’t curb penalties and improve late‑game execution, the MVP‑caliber season could slip away.
Which player stole the spotlight on Monday night?
Devin Lloyd’s 99‑yard pick‑six was the defining play, earning him National Football League Player of the Week honors and setting the tone for Jacksonville’s comeback.
What are the Chiefs’ next steps to avoid another collapse?
Coach Andy Reid and his staff will likely emphasize discipline in practice, especially on penalty drills, while evaluating depth options to replace injured or inactive players before the Broncos game.
