Chiefs vs. Bears score, takeaways: Patrick Mahomes cruises, Chicago implodes and Taylor Swift watches it all

It was never a competition

The Bears endured a public-relations nightmare in the days leading up to Week 3's matchup with the Chiefs, with quarterback Justin Fields critiquing his own staff and defensive coordinator Alan Williams abruptly resigning due to reported inappropriate activity. On Sunday, things only got worse as Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs cruised to a 41-10 victory.

The biggest storyline early might've been pop star Taylor Swift making herself known from the suites, where she all but confirmed rumors of a dating relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce by sitting next to Kelce's own mother. But Swift witnessed not a lick of competition on the field, where Mahomes' only hiccup was a right ankle injury suffered just before halftime, with a 34-0 lead.

Mahomes, by the way, returned for the second half despite the injury, even if his ankle will be worth monitoring in the coming weeks. Kelce led the way as his top target, scoring a third-quarter touchdown that brought Swift to her feet in the suites. The Bears, meanwhile, repeatedly shot themselves in the foot along the way, with Fields totally listless on an offense sorely lacking any semblance of rhythm, creativity or playmaking separation.

Why the Chiefs won

They hosted the Bears. Honestly, Chicago's incompetence was just as vital as Kansas City's own performance here. But besides that, Mahomes was perhaps the smoothest he's looked all year, hitting almost every receiver before his ankle briefly bothered him ahead of halftime. His three TDs were effortless, with Kelce, rookie Rashee Rice and Marquez Valdes-Scantling all assisting downfield. The Chiefs' defensive front was equally effective, with Chris Jones and George Karlaftis helping lead a three-sack effort that consistently flustered Fields and shut down Chicago's pitiful rushing attack.

Why the Bears lost

They have zero life on offense. Or defense. It just is what it is. Call it coaching, call it a lack of talent, call it all of the above. They had no answers for anything at any point in this game. After suggesting this week he'd "be himself" and play free, Fields did lead Chicago in rushing, but only because Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson had nowhere to go. Through the air, he was dysfunctional as ever, receiving no help from an invisible receiving corps. Their best play of the day might've been accidental, when Yannick Ngakoue fell into Mahomes' ankle and briefly halted K.C.'s offense.

Turning point

Down 21-0, the Bears were already in a near-insurmountable hole when they got the ball with just three minutes left in the first half. But then they gifted the Chiefs a bonus possession when Fields dumped it off to Herbert, only for the running back to cough up the ball on a hit from Trent McDuffie. K.C. recovered and quickly capitalized, pushing their lead to 24 within a minute.

Play of the Game

Not a ton of highlight-reel standouts, even with the Chiefs dominating, but Kelce's leaping grab sealed his day's stardom:

What's next

The Chiefs (2-1) will hit the road for a Week 4 prime-time Sunday visit with the Jets (1-2), who fell to the rival Patriots on Sunday. The Bears (0-3), meanwhile, will return home to host the similarly winless Broncos (0-3), who got blown out by the Dolphins in historic fashion.

[Sep 24, 2023 at 6:52 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Justin Fields scrambles and takes a hard shot to the head. He's now sidelined. Nathan Peterman is in at QB for Chicago. No real reason to put Fields back in anyway. What a disaster for the Bears.

[Sep 24, 2023 at 6:14 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Patrick Mahomes is coming back out. At this point, the Chiefs could probably get away with sitting him and preserving their 34-point lead. The Bears have been lifeless. Alas, the reigning MVP still has the green light.

[Sep 24, 2023 at 6:11 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

The Chiefs are up 34, but the real storyline now is Patrick Mahomes' health. The QB was noticeably limping after Yannick Ngakoue landed on his right ankle in the final seconds of the first half, and he shook his head in frustration as he came to the sidelines. We'll see if he takes the field again, but it'll be something to monitor, especially after a right high-ankle sprain bothered him in the playoffs.

[Sep 24, 2023 at 5:53 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

This week couldn't really get any worse for the Bears. They now trail by 31. And the end does not appear near.