The Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins are facing off at Hard Rock Stadium in Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season.

After two quarters, the Chiefs lead the Dolphins 14-7. They had some opportunities and failed to capitalize in the first half of the Week 3 game.

“We shot ourselves in the foot,” Chiefs HC Andy Reid told CBS sideline reporter Melanie Collins. “We’ve got to be more consistent with it.”

Miami will receive the ball to start the second half.

What else did we learn about Kansas City in the first half of Week 3?

Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker continues to terrorize the rest of the NFL

Kenneth Walker has emerged as the top weapon on the Chiefs’ offense through three weeks. Only two players have touched the ball more than Walker through the first two drives: C Creed Humphrey and QB Patrick Mahomes.

On those two drives, Walker had six carries for 28 yards and a rushing touchdown. He added one reception for five yards and a receiving touchdown. He’s making fantasy football owners very, very happy with that first-half Week 3 performance. Through 2.5 quarters, Walker has four total touchdowns. He only had five total touchdowns in the entire 2026 NFL season.

He did struggle on short-yardage in the first half, with at least three touches for no gain or a loss. That’s more of a scheme and play-calling issue in my book, as the Dolphins read run on every occasion. That said, his 22-yard carry was the longest carry of the first half. He finished the first two quarters with 10 carries for 52 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes looking sharp for second consecutive week

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has looked better with each game this season. In Week 1, it was just about getting his legs back underneath him after a season-ending knee injury. The following week against the Colts, he looked like his old self again. In the first half of Week 3, he was virtually flawless. An error from one of his receivers kept him from perfection.

Mahomes completed 11-of-11 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown before his first incomplete in the first half. Unfortunately, that play was a pass Rashee Rice popped up, and Dolphins LB Jacob Rodriguez intercepted it. Earlier, Mahomes threw a 48-yard pass to Travis Kelce to open the game. He targeted seven different receivers, and all of them recorded at least one reception.

Steve Spagnuolo’s defense has some things to work on in the second half

Kansas City’s first defensive drive was nothing short of embarrassing. This Miami team has allowed the most sacks in the NFL entering Week 3. Yet, the Chiefs couldn’t get any pressure on QB Malik Willis. Much of that came from the down-and-distance situations they found themselves in. Even with the Dolphins getting way behind the sticks, Kansas City couldn’t really pin their ears back.

In K.C.’s first defensive series, the Dolphins ran 17 plays, gained 91 net yards, and took 10 yards in penalties. Miami’s backup RB Ollie Gordon scored a rushing touchdown after they lost De’Von Achane to a knee injury. In the second defensive series, the Chiefs improved substantially. Miami ran just six plays, gained only 17 yards, and turned the ball over on downs.

On the third defensive series, they allowed a 44-yard reception to Chris Bell. But they came back and forced a fumble after six plays, with Drue Tranquill and L’Jarius Sneed combining for the big play.

L’Jarius Sneed giveth, L’Jarius Sneed taketh away

Speaking of that forced fumble. The play really captured what L’Jarius Sneed brings to the table. Trent Green and Kevin Harlan discussed Sneed being picked on in coverage through the first two weeks of the 2026 NFL season. He was getting picked on on that drive, and a defensive holding penalty gave the Dolphins a fresh set of downs.

Later on that drive, Sneed recovered the fumble forced by Tranquill. Unfortunately, the team could not capitalize on the turnover. However, that play shows the mentality Sneed brings to the table. He’s got the mental toughness to bounce back from a negative play with a positive one.