Kansas City rookie Josh Simmons starred at left tackle in Week 2, holding his own against Philadelphia's stout pass rush and not surrendering a single pressure on 36 pass-blocking snaps. Pro Football Focus graded him at 87.8 for the performance, a precise signal of his upside as a starting tackle for the Chiefs.

Despite the loss, the standout showing fuels optimism for Week 3 against the New York Giants, giving fantasy managers a reason to watch Simmons closely as he cements a blind-side role and Kansas City's protection dynamics evolve behind a young, developing unit.

Sean Payton shouldered the blame for the game’s end, saying misalignment and a leveraged attempt by Dondrea Tillman led to a controversial 60-yard kick that sealed Denver’s fate. He drew a line to last year’s heartbreak vs Kansas City, stressing the play design was sound but execution faltered and the Broncos must tighten rush lanes and protection in crunch moments.

The late Colts march culminated in Shrader’s long try, first wide right and then made after a flag changed the line. Payton acknowledged the difference between a long field goal and a shorter “gimme” and noted that the responsibility starts with him and the approach to interior pressure going forward.

The Chiefs wore Free 4 shirts for Rashee Rice before the home opener vs. Philadelphia, a gesture Andy Reid labeled as affection for a teammate, not a political statement about the NFL. Rice sits out six games due to a personal conduct policy violation from a 2024 Dallas crash. He had 79 catches as a rookie in 2023, and despite an injury-shortened 2024, he posted postseason numbers. He can return October 19 against the Raiders.