The Kansas City Chiefs secured their first win of the 2025 season with a 22–9 victory over the New York Giants, finally getting on the board after an uneven start to the year. Last year, they were 15-0 at some point in 2024, but this year’s start was a steep 0-2 for Patrick Mahomes’ team after the Super Bowl LIX loss.
Notably, in these three games of 2025, while the defense and special teams played their part in limiting the Giants’ scoring, the Chiefs’ offensive unit didn’t exactly shine. Mahomes and company moved the ball efficiently enough to win. Though their OC Matt Nagy had already warned Mahomes and his squad, the offense lacked explosive plays, big-yardage drives, and the kind of dominant performance fans have come to expect from a top-tier team.
Settling for multiple field goals and struggling to sustain long drives, the Chiefs’ offense left many wondering if they’re truly firing on all cylinders. That sentiment isn’t just coming from fans or analysts. Former Super Bowl champion and the New York Giants defensive lineman Chris Canty also voiced his disappointment with Kansas City’s offensive performance.
In his latest appearance on Unsportsmanlike Radio, the former Giants star questioned Mahomes’ Unit and compared them with the Dallas Cowboys’ performance in Week 2. Canty said, “When you compare and contrast with the Cowboys offense versus what you saw with the Chiefs offense week over week against that same Giants defense, it leaves a lot to be desired for Kansas City. There aren’t a ton of explosive elements in their passing game.”
In Week 3, the Chiefs managed a 22–9 win over the New York Giants. But the offense was steadier than spectacular. Mahomes completed 22 of 37 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown. Apart from him, the rushing attack totaled 105 yards on 28 carries. Isiah Pacheco led the ground game with 45 yards on 10 carries, and Kareem Hunt punched in a short-yardage touchdown to help seal the victory.
Tyquan Thornton provided the biggest spark through the air, hauling in five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. At the same time, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Hollywood Brown, and Travis Kelce contributed with smaller gains but no explosive long scores. On third downs and sustained drives, the Chiefs mixed field goals with two touchdown drives. One in the middle of the third quarter, and another late to secure the lead, which did not showcase legit dominance.
Canty also added, “They don’t have a consistent running game. And in a game where your defense held the opponent to single digits, you’re still talking about it being a one-possession game into the fourth quarter. That is not acceptable, especially when you consider the rest of the AFC West and how tough it’s going to be in your respective division.
If the Kansas City Chiefs’ goal is to position themselves for a championship run, then it’s going to be really hard to do that with the offense playing the way that it is. Now, Hollywood Brown being back this week helped. You saw Patrick Mahomes target him early and often, but they still don’t have enough.
We’ll see what happens when Rashee Rice gets back in the lineup after serving his six-game suspension. But Kansas City, Kansas City’s offense still hasn’t gotten its act together. There are several layup throws that Patrick Mahomes typically makes, especially to Travis Kelce, where you didn’t see those two connect. And I don’t know how the Kansas City Chiefs get on the same page, but clearly, something is amiss. And last night’s win doesn’t wash that away.”
And to talk about the Cowboys vs the Giants in Week 2, by contrast, the Dallas offense looked far more explosive in their 40–37 win over the Giants. Dak Prescott completed 38 of 52 passes for 361 yards and two touchdowns. At the same time, Russell Wilson added 30 completions on 41 attempts for 450 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
The Cowboys’ rushing game was equally productive, totaling 135 yards on 28 carries. It was highlighted by Javonte Williams’ 97 yards and a rushing touchdown. That game featured many lead changes and numerous big plays, with both Wilson and the receivers producing chunk gains. It also includes standout yardage from Malik Nabers. Prescott’s offensive unit’s high-octane attack pushed the Giants to the limit. It kept them nearly in striking distance until the final moments, contrasting sharply with the more methodical approach of the Chiefs.
What Might Be the Specific Reasons Behind Chris Canty Calling Out Patrick Mahomes’s offensive Unit?
Even though the Chiefs won, comparing their performance to what the Cowboys were able to do vs. the Giants shows a contrast. The lack of explosive offense and exceptionally big plays were missing in the game. In the Cowboys game, both passing and rushing broke into big yardage chunks. Per PFF, the Giants gave up 350 total yards, including a strong rushing showing by Dallas. The Chiefs, by contrast, had modest efficiency, few big explosive plays. Thornton’s catches helped, but aside from that, they didn’t stretch the field as consistently. Many drives ended in field goals or shorter gains.
Other than this, the 2nd reason might be the Chiefs’ dependence on defense and special teams. Against the Giants, the Chiefs’ defense forced two interceptions. Actually, their offense didn’t need to do everything. But on several drives, they couldn’t capitalize as aggressively early, per Reuters. Mahomes made some off throws (“throwing the ball backwards”) and was less efficient (22/37 is fine, but not elite). There were also penalties/field goals where TDs could have been possible.
The third specific reason could be that their efficiency was under pressure from 3rd down conversions. Giants held the Chiefs to relatively low yards per attempt and kept them from sustaining many long drives. The difference between field goals vs touchdowns matters. The Chiefs had to settle at times. Also, the Giants converted poorly themselves vs. the Chiefs on 3rd down. But the Chiefs’ offense did not dominate as much as the Cowboys did vs. the Giants. So the contrast in offensive dominance is less for the Chiefs.
Patrick Mahomes is a top-tier QB, and people expect high-ceiling offensive performances. When the offense is “just enough” vs. a less strong team or in a close game, it invites criticism. If you compare what Dallas achieved vs the Giants, the Chiefs’ 22 are modest by that standard.