Thornton, defense help Chiefs beat Giants, avoid 0-3 start
Thornton, defense help Chiefs beat Giants, avoid 0-3 start
Tyquan Thornton shined as Patrick Mahomes' top target, while the Kansas City Chiefs defense suffocated the New York Giants, leading to their first win of 2025.
Head coach Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs held the New York Giants to one touchdown in their first win of the 2025 season. File Photo by Jon Robichaud/UPI
Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Tyquan Thornton shined as Patrick Mahomes' top target, while the Kansas City Chiefs defense suffocated the New York Giants, leading to their first win of 2025.
Thornton scored in the third quarter and awed fans with an acrobatic circus catch in the fourth quarter of the 22-9 triumph Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J. He finished the night with five catches for a career-high 71 yards. The Chiefs defense allowed just 281 yards and logged two interceptions and two sacks of Giants quarterback Russell Wilson.
"I knew what I could do," Thornton told reporters. "It's about this team taking a chance on me and Pat [Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes] giving me the opportunity to make plays."
The Chiefs, who never trailed, totaled 22 first downs, converted on 8 of 15 third-down opportunities and totaled 306 total yards. Mahomes completed 22 of 37 passes for 224 yards and a score.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 22 of 37 passes for 224 yards and a score in a win over the New York Giants on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J. File Photo by Jon Robichaud/UPI
"A good win to get, in particular, when you haven't had one," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "That was important to take a step forward. The second quarter was hard to watch, but the third and fourth quarter I thought our guys really came together and played well."
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones logged a sack in a win over the New York Giants on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J. File Photo by Jon Robichaud/UPI
Harrison Butker made respective 54- and 48-yard field goals on the Chiefs' first two possessions of the night. Rookie running back Cam Skattebo, who logged a career-high 121 yards from scrimmage, found the end zone for the Giants' lone score with a 13-yard run 1:44 before halftime.
Butker made a 28-yard field goal just before halftime to give the Chiefs a 9-6 lead at the break.
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson completed 18 of 32 passes for 160 yards and two interceptions in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton totaled 14 combined tackles in a win over the New York Giants on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J. Photo by Jon Robichaud/UPI
Mahomes found Thornton with a 5-yard touchdown toss on the first drive of the second half. Graham Gano made a 25-yard field goal for the Giants' final points about five minutes into the fourth quarter.
The Chiefs answered with a nine-play, 77-yard touchdown drive, which ended with a 1-yard run from Kareem Hunt, for the final points of the game.
Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton totaled 14 tackles in the victory. Defensive tackle Chris Jones and edge rusher George Karlaftis logged sacks for the Chiefs.
Wilson completed 18 of 32 passes for 160 yards. Chiefs cornerbacks Chris Roland-Wallace and Jaylen Watson each intercepted the Giants quarterback.
The Chiefs (1-2) will host the Baltimore Ravens (1-1) on Sunday in Kansas City, Mo. The Giants (0-3) will host the Los Angeles Chargers (3-0) on Sunday in East Rutherford.
