KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Interstat) — Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdown passes and the Kansas City Chiefs scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to pull away from the Washington Commanders for a 28-7 victory on Monday night at a sold-out GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

A crowd of 73,569 watched as the Chiefs improved to 5-3, while the Commanders fell to 3-5.

The game was a defensive struggle through the first 30 minutes, with both teams trading second-quarter touchdowns to enter halftime tied 7-7. The complexion of the game changed entirely after the break, as Kansas City’s offense found its rhythm and its defense completely stifled Washington.

Mahomes was surgical, completing 25 of 34 passes for 299 yards. He connected with tight end Travis Kelce, running back Kareem Hunt and wide receiver Rashee Rice for scores. Mahomes also added 30 yards on four scrambles. Kelce was his primary target, hauling in six catches for 99 yards and a touchdown. Rice was a versatile weapon, catching nine passes for 93 yards and a touchdown while also adding 12 rushing yards.

The Chiefs’ defense was the story of the second half, forcing punts and creating turnovers to shut down the Commanders. Linebacker Jack Cochrane and defensive end Mike Danna each recorded interceptions, while Danna and George Karlaftis each notched a sack. Safety Chamarri Conner led all defenders with 10 tackles.

Washington’s lone score came just before halftime. After a Kansas City touchdown run by Hunt tied the game, Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota engineered a 66-yard drive, capping it with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin with 58 seconds remaining in the second quarter. A replay review overturned an initial ruling of an incomplete pass, confirming the score.

Mariota finished 21 of 30 for 213 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was also Washington’s leading rusher with 28 yards on eight carries. Jeremy McNichols caught five passes for 64 yards. The Commanders’ defense was led by safety Quan Martin, who recorded a game-high 14 tackles, and linebacker Bobby Wagner, who had 10 tackles and an interception.

Any momentum Washington carried into halftime was extinguished by Kansas City’s dominant third quarter. The Chiefs took their first lead of the game on their opening drive of the half, with Mahomes finding Hunt on a 2-yard pass. Later in the quarter, Mahomes connected with Kelce on a 10-yard strike to extend the lead to 21-7.

The Chiefs put the game fully out of reach early in the fourth quarter when Mahomes hit Rice for an 18-yard touchdown, culminating a methodical 94-yard drive that consumed over seven minutes of game clock.

Washington’s offense, which moved the ball effectively in the first half, was stymied after the break, managing only 95 total yards and failing to score against a relentless Kansas City pass rush and secondary.

The Chiefs will look to build on the win when they travel to face the Buffalo Bills next Sunday. The Commanders return home to host the Seattle Seahawks.