Chiefs-Eagles LIVE updates: Score tied 7-7 early in the second quarter

For the NFL’s Week 11, the (7-2) Kansas City Chiefs host the (8-1) Philadelphia Eagles for “Monday Night Football” during a rainy, sloppy night on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium — a game that is not only a rematch of February’s Super Bowl LVII, but could also be a preview of Super Bowl LVIII: with eight games remaining, both teams lead the race for their conference’s No. 1 postseason seed.

First quarter The Eagles won the coin toss and deferred, putting the Chiefs’ offense on the field first in the Super Bowl rematch. Jake Elliot’s kick sailed through the end zone, beginning the possession at the Kansas City 25-yard line.

Patrick Mahomes’ first pass to tight end Noah Gray fell incomplete. On second down, Mahomes was sacked by Haason Reddick for a nine-yard loss. A third-down throw to running back Jerick McKinnon could only advance to the 20-yard line, forcing a three-and-out. Tommy Townsend’s punt took a very Philadelphia-friendly bounce to start the Eagles at their own 43-yard line.

The first two downs saw short carries by D’Andre Swift to set up third-and-6 from the Philadelphia 47-yard line. The Chiefs defense responded to the Eagles’ early sack with one of their own as cornerback Trent McDuffie — amidst a crowd of Chiefs in the backfield — brought quarterback Jalen Hurts down for a seven-yard loss. Braden Mann’s punt was downed at the Kansas City 20.

Isiah Pacheco began Kansas City’s second drive with a three-yard carry. Mahomes immediately went back to the second-year back, and Pacheco delivered with a 24-yard carry to the Chiefs’ 47. Wide receiver Kadarius Toney took the next handoff for 14 yards. A five-yard pass to Mecole Hardman and then a two-yard loss on a Pacheco carry set up third-and-7 from the 36-yard line. A catch by Toney made the line to gain by the narrowest of margins. A neutral zone infraction penalty then moved the Chiefs to first-and-5 from their own 24. Rookie receiver Rashee Rice then set up first-and-goal from the 10-yard line with a 14-yard reception. A Pacheco carry on second down moved the ball to the three-yard mark. On third down, a scrambling Mahomes found Justin Watson in the back of the end zone for the touchdown. Butker’s extra point opened the scoring at 7-0 Chiefs.

A touchback started the Eagles’ second drive at their own 25-yard line. Hurts immediately found DeVonta Smith on the run for a 20-yard gain. Swift then took the ball into Chiefs’ territory with a seven-yard rush before a quarterback draw by Hurts set up a first down at the Kansas City 42-yard line, where the Chiefs called their first timeout of the half.

After the pause, Swift was stopped after a three-yard carry. Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was penalized for hands to the face on the next play, giving the Eagles a first down at the 34. Swift gained two yards on first down. Hurts then found Smith for 11 yards to the 21-yard line. Under heavy pressure, Hurts threw the ball away on first down. Swift then took a delayed handoff 18 yards to set up first-and-goal from the four-yard line, before taking the ball into the end zone on the next snap. Elliot’s extra point evened the score at 7-7.

With 31 seconds remaining in the quarter, the Chiefs began their third drive at the 25-yard line. Pacheco took the first down carry for no gain, bringing the quarter to a close.

Second quarter On second down, Pacheco gained a single yard to set up a long third down attempt. Mahomes scrambled for only two yards, ending the drive with a three-and-out. Townsend’s second punt was returned to the Philadelphia 40-yard line to set up the Eagles’ next drive.

During the first quarter, the Chiefs announced that wide receiver Mecole Hardman was questionable to return with a thumb injury.