The Kansas City Chiefs’ early-season struggles hit a new low Monday night. Their 31–28 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars dropped them to 2–3. But for one player, the defeat came with more than just an emotional sting. Wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown may be hit the hardest both literally and financially after a heated moment in the first quarter.

Midway through the opening frame, Brown tangled with Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis. As Lewis grabbed his jersey, the two came face to face, slamming their helmet against each other. The two seemed to be exchanging words before Brown appeared to throw an open-handed slap. Fans immediately questioned why he wasn’t ejected. As it turns out, the answer has come days later.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the league fined Hollywood Brown $12,172 for smacking Lewis during the altercation. Brown was the only player penalized or fined in the incident. How does the policy work?

The NFL’s conduct policy, established in agreement with the NFL Players Association, clearly states that any actions putting players at risk or compromising the league’s competitive integrity will result in “accountability measures,” such as fines. But penalties and tempers weren’t the only problem for them.

Brown’s outburst didn’t just hurt his reputation; it hurt the Chiefs in real time. He was flagged for unnecessary roughness, costing Kansas City 15 crucial yards. Still, Patrick Mahomes managed to steady the offense, capping off a nine-play, 72-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce. For Brown, a 2019 first-round pick, the difference could be massive in how the league views his discipline going forward. As for the team, they let another winnable game slip away in the final seconds.

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, who had stumbled to the turf on the game’s decisive play, picked himself up and scrambled one yard into the end zone with just 23 seconds remaining.

Kansas City Chiefs are facing an early-season slump

The Chiefs are suddenly staring at unfamiliar territory. After dropping three of their first five games, another loss would drop them to 2–4, a hole even Patrick Mahomes can’t easily dig out of.

“This is extremely important. There’s no way around it,” Mahomes admitted ahead of the game against the Lions. The two-time MVP knows the stakes and the challenge all too well. “This is a really good football team. They play extremely hard. We have to match their intensity. We have to match that mentality.”

Still, there’s precedent for a rebound. In 2021, the Chiefs started 2–4 before storming back to reach the AFC Championship Game, eventually falling to Cincinnati. That year remains the last time their season ended short of the Super Bowl. This is a reminder that Mahomes and Reid have weathered slow starts before. This week, however, things get even tougher.

The Lions come in riding a four-game win streak after demolishing the Bengals 37–24, a game that was all but over by the end of the third quarter. For Kansas City, the path forward is simple but not easy. Cut down on penalties, find a rhythm without suspended receiver Rashee Rice (due back after one more game), and rediscover their offensive identity.