Chiefs Offense Stalls as Butker's Misses Seal 20-3 Defeat in Seattle

The Kansas City Chiefs entered the fourth quarter of Sunday night's game in Seattle still within striking distance of the local Seahawks. They left with a 20-3 loss, a result driven by a stalled offensive line and two missed field goal attempts by Harrison Butker.

Butker’s misses were the final blow to a struggling Kansas City attack. He failed to convert a 45-yard attempt with 8.5 minutes remaining. That kick would have made it a one-possession game. It was his second miss of the night and the 15th of his career since last season began. The NFL records show he has missed the most kicks in the league during that span, including ten field goals and five extra points.

The offense could not keep the game close for long. Patrick Mahomes threw for 213 total yards, but the Chiefs gained only 50 yards on the ground. They went 3 for 11 on third down and held the ball for nearly 11 minutes less than Seattle. The defense allowed Sam Darnold to convert 11 of 16 third downs. The Chiefs gave up 410 total yards and 153 rushing yards. Coach Andy Reid said the team did not perform well enough for a prime-time matchup. He took responsibility for the lackluster effort but noted the defense’s struggles were part of a wider team issue.

Butker’s inconsistency has become a financial and strategic concern for the franchise. He is the third-highest paid kicker in the league and holds the sixth-highest base salary on the Chiefs roster. That money could have been directed toward the wide receiver unit, which is missing Tyquan Thornton and Rashee Rice due to injury. The offensive line also suffered from absences, including right tackle Jaylon Moore, who sat out while on concussion protocol. The Chiefs have the option to release Butker after this season with a manageable amount of dead money, adding pressure for him to improve his accuracy.

The loss marks only the second time in Mahomes’ career that the Chiefs scored three points or fewer. The previous occurrence was a 27-3 defeat to the Tennessee Titans in October 2021. In the first half, Nohl Williams picked off a pass in the end zone and returned it 65 yards. That gave Kansas City a field goal chance before halftime, which Butker also missed. Williams has been a solid cornerback for the team all season. The Seahawks targeted L'Jarius Sneed frequently, as he has struggled since returning to the team where he began his career.

The Chiefs face the Denver Broncos next on Sunday. Denver beat Kansas City 10-31 in the season opener at Arrowhead Stadium. The Broncos have won their last three games, including a 17-14 victory over the same Seahawks that defeated Kansas City on Sunday. The Chiefs will look to regain their offensive rhythm against a Denver team that has played well since its slow start.