Chiefs hold off Dolphins 24-10 to move to 3-0

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Miami Dolphins 24-10 on Sunday, September 27, in Miami, improving to 3-0 while holding off a Dolphins team that remained within reach into the fourth quarter. Kansas City pulled away late after Miami’s opening touchdown drive, which tied the score and prompted Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to urge his unit to sharpen its execution, according to players’ postgame accounts. Miami’s 17-play, 91-yard opening scoring drive included several third- and fourth-down conversions. Running back DeVon Achane left during the possession with a knee injury and did not return. The Chiefs then stopped the Dolphins from scoring another touchdown. Kansas City coverage reported Miami converted its first three third- or fourth-down attempts, then went 5-for-19 on those downs for the rest of the game. Chiefs players described Spagnuolo gathering the defense on the sideline after the drive and emphasizing focus on each assignment and the next play. Linebacker Nick Bolton characterized the message as a “heart check.” The accounts link the regrouping to the defense’s response, though they do not independently establish that it caused the improvement.