Game highlights: Chiefs defeat Rams 26-10 as Kansas City improves to 9-2

The Chiefs played host to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12 of the NFL season today at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

But anyone hoping for a repeat from 2018’s thrilling 54-51 shootout, which the Rams (now 3-7) won, needed to look elsewhere.

Who won the Chiefs vs. Rams game?

The Chiefs defeated the Rams, the defending Super Bowl Champions, in a gritty 26-10 win. The Chiefs have now improved to 9-2.

Analysis, highlights from the Chiefs vs. Rams game

What we learned: Mahomes eclipses 300 again as Chiefs take care of business

Five things: Here’s what stood out about the Chiefs’ win vs. defending champion Rams

Chiefs grades: Who was the star of this week’s game?

Key stats: Three numbers that mattered in Chiefs’ 26-10 win over Rams

Vahe Gregorian: What win over Rams says about Chiefs’ need to develop ‘certain attitude, certain edge’

Sam McDowell: Why the Kansas City Chiefs’ win against the L.A. Rams should be a cautionary tale

Final score: Chiefs 26, Rams 10

The fourth quarter opened with Bryce Perkins throwing a 7-yard touchdown to Van Jefferson, finishing a drive that was started in the third quarter.

The Chiefs drove down the field before quarterback Patrick Mahomes was sacked, which resulted in Rams defensive tackle Aaron McDonald being called for a penalty. Mahomes was intercepted in the inzone, but the Chiefs got the ball right back after a L’Jarius Sneed interception. The Rams defense once again held the Chiefs to a field goal, bringing the score to 23-10.

After a Nick Bolton interception, the Chiefs set up another field goal kick as they ran out the clock, bringing their final lead to 26-10.

Third-quarter score: Chiefs 20, Rams 3

The Rams started the quarter with the ball, but were forced into a punt by the Chiefs. Once Kansas City had the ball, Patrick Mahomes passed to rookie Isiah Pacheco for 17-yards and then again for 3-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 20-3.

The Rams started a drive down the field at the end of the third quarter that would end in a touchdown by Van Jefferson at the start of the fourth quarter.

Isiah Pacheco celebrates his TD

Running back Isiah Pacheco scored a 3-yard touchdown at the start of the third quarter, bringing the Chiefs to a 20-3 lead. The rookie celebrated his second rushing touchdown of the season with a dance.

L’Jarius Sneed returns for second half

After the Chiefs announced he was being evaluated for a concussion, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is back on the field in the second half.

Travis Kelce’s 12th TD is new career best

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce set a new single-season career high for touchdown receptions on Sunday in Kansas City’s game against the L.A. Rams at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Kelce caught a first-quarter pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes just inside the Rams’ 30-yard line and then did the rest, shrugging off the coverage of L.A. cornerback Jalen Ramsey and breaking a couple of tackles on his way to the end zone.

Kelce’s previous career high for touchdowns in a season was 11, set in 2020. He also reached double-digit TDs in 2018, when he hauled in 10.

Kelce’s 39-yard touchdown and ensuing extra point Sunday gave the Chiefs a 7-0 lead. The teams exchanged field goals after that. The score at halftime, after a second field goal by Harrison Butker, was 13-3 Chiefs.

At halftime, Kelce had two catches (on three targets) for 48 yards; Mahomes was 16 of 27 for 209 yards and a 96.1 rating.

Read more about what the touchdown meant for Mahomes and Kelce.

Halftime score: Chiefs 13, Rams 3

The Rams opened the quarter with a field goal to bring the score up to 7-3.

Mahomes threw to running back Ronald Jones in his first game of the year for a 22-yard pass, and Chiefs quarterback rushed for 13 yards. But ultimately Kansas City settled for a 27-yard field goal from kicker Harrison Butker, bringing the game to 10-3.

The Chiefs forced the Rams into a punt, but the Rams pulled out some tricks of their own, calling a fake punt that led to a first down. But Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones immediately disrupted up the play with a first-down sack. The Chiefs forced a punt again.

The Rams held the Chiefs to a field goal before the half, with Butker kicking for 32-yards to make the game 13-3.

L’Jarius Sneed being evaluted for concussion

After a play in the second quarter, Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed left the field for the blue medical tent and then returned to the locker room with a couple Chiefs athletic trainers. The Chiefs then announced he was being evaluated for a concussion.

Kansas City’s Jason Sudeikis, Rob Riggle watch Chiefs game

Two of KC’s favorite local legends were spotted at Arrowhead Stadium for Sunday’s game and received a shoutout from the Chiefs.

First-quarter score: Chiefs 7, Rams 0

After losing the coin toss to the Rams, the Chiefs opened the game. Patrick Mahomes faced pressure from Rams defensive tackle Aaron McDonald, and the Chiefs were forced to punt. Kansas City forced the Rams into a three-and-out, but Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore dropped the punt, letting the Rams recover it.

Rams quarterback Bryce Perkins threw to Van Jefferson for 18 yards down the sideline. The Chiefs challenged the call, and it was ruled incomplete. When the Chiefs got the ball back after the punt, Moore redeemed his dropped punt with an 18-yard completion from Mahomes. The Chiefs quarterback then threw to tight end Travis Kelce for a 39-yard touchdown.

The quarter ended with a failed third down for the Rams. The Chiefs led 7-0.

How to watch the Chiefs-Rams game

Time: 3:25 p.m.

Channel: FOX (Channel 4 in Kansas City)

Location: Arrowhead Stadium

Radio: 106.5 FM, The Wolf, or on the Chiefs mobile app

Streaming: The game can be seen on NFL+

Other news about Chiefs vs. Rams

Betting analysis: Here’s what the Vegas odds say about the Kansas City Chiefs-L.A. Rams game Sunday

Friday injury report: Chiefs’ JuJu Smith-Schuster available to play in Week 12; Kadarius Toney ruled out

Chiefs-Rams prediction: Here’s the awkward spot L.A. finds itself in vs. Kansas City

Players to watch: Willie Gay makes our list of key Chiefs and Rams players

About the Rams: A quick look at the Chiefs’ next opponent and their big question mark at QB