Third-and-9 from the Kansas City 5-yard line, third quarter. Patrick Mahomes released a ball toward Rashee Rice, and Chop Robinson arrived. Robinson released his hands as he made contact, but his full body weight drove Mahomes to the turf. The quarterback stayed down for a moment, then got up gingerly, holding his lower back.
The flag came almost immediately. Roughing the passer. Fifteen yards. First down. The Chiefs turned that reprieve into a field goal that pushed their lead to 17-10 with 11:35 left in the third quarter, and eventually into a 24-10 win at Hard Rock Stadium.
Body weight, and 15 yards
Robinson did not hit high, did not hit low, and did not hit late. The violation was a body-weight foul under the NFL’s quarterback protection rule. CBS Sports rules analyst Gene Steratore explained that even with the defender’s hands coming free, his weight kept driving through the quarterback into the ground.
Mahomes was not looking for an argument about it afterward.
“No, he got me. He got me for sure pretty good. But that’s part of playing football.”
That was as close as the two-time MVP came to complaining. Whether the flag should have been thrown is now a talk-show argument the NFL has had every year since it tightened its passer rules. What is not up for debate is the picture it produced: the league’s biggest star, on his back, in his own end zone, holding his spine. Mahomes is still working his way back from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season, which the Chiefs have been visibly managing since Week 1.
Simmons out for a third game, and it showed
Kansas City played the game without left tackle Josh Simmons. The Chiefs ruled him out for a third straight game with the back injury he picked up in August training camp; he has not practised since.
Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson started in his place. Former Chiefs edge rusher Josh Uche, now in Miami colours, put two hits on Mahomes from that side, one of them a late pressure that dumped Benson on the ground. Right guard Trey Smith drew multiple penalty flags. Miami did not sack Mahomes, but the pressure count read very differently from the scoreline.
Read also: Man City punishment incoming: Premier League to send charges to panel within weeks, Mirror reports
The offensive stats stayed clean. Mahomes finished 20 of 24 for 246 yards and two touchdowns, a 119.8 passer rating and an 11-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce that put the game out of reach at 24-10.
Simmons still not practising
Kansas City travel to Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, 4 October, to face a Las Vegas Raiders side that is also 3-0. Simmons was still not practising at the end of last week.
Read also: 'Mr Horner is looking for a job': Vasseur hits back as Ferrari succession reports refuse to go away
