Philadelphia Eagles Trailing Kansas City Chiefs at Halftime, Jalen Hurts Sacked Five Times

Read a recap of the first half of the Philadelphia Eagles-Kansas City Chiefs Monday Night Football game.

In the most-anticipated game of the 2023 regular season, the Kansas City Chiefs welcomed the Philadelphia Eagles to Arrowhead Stadium for a Monday Night Football showdown in the pouring rain. 

The contest, of course, is a rematch of Super Bowl LVII, where the Chiefs came out victorious, winning 38-35. Beyond that, it may very well be a preview of Super Bowl LVIII, as both the Chiefs (7-2) and Eagles (8-1) entered the game with the best records in their respective conferences. 

But it was the Chiefs who led 17-7 at halftime.

Both teams traded three-and-outs to open the game, with the Chiefs and Eagles combining for -8 total yards. 

However, Kansas City then started the scoring with 10-play, 80-yard drive that ended with quarterback Patrick Mahomes finding a wide open tight end in Justin Watson for a three-yard touchdown. 

Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift rushed for a touchdown in the first quarter.  / USA Today

To their credit, the Eagles responded with an excellent drive of their own, with running back D'Andre Swift rushing for a four-yard touchdown that was capped off with a Jake Elliott extra point that narrowly was successful to tie the game.  

Both Hurts and Mahomes were picked off in the second quarter, but neither team was able to turn the interceptions into points. 

Just after the two-minute warning, though, the Chiefs regained the lead as Mahomes found Travis Kelce for a four-yard touchdown. It was only Kelce's second reception of the half, but the 74th touchdown catch of his illustrious career. Kansas City had tremendous starting field position after Kadarius Toney returned a Braden Mann punt 21 yards to Philadelphia's 45-yard line.

Kicker Harrison Butker added a 43-yard field goal before halftime to give the Chiefs some insurance.  

In the second half, the Eagles will need to do a significantly better job protecting Hurts, who was sacked a staggering five times in the first two quarters. Philadelphia's offensive line is viewed by most as the sport's best, but defensive tackle Chris Jones and the Chiefs pressured Hurts relentlessly in the first half. Frankly, the Eagles are lucky to only be trailing 17-7. 

The Eagles are slated to receive the second-half kickoff.