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Ron Rivera's goal for Washington Football Team: 'Play two halves of football'

LANDOVER, Md. -- A microcosm of the Washington Football Team's season could be seen in both halves of Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. It's a sign of where they are -- and why any preseason optimism has faded.

In the first two quarters, the Washington defense did what it was expected to do this season: Give the offense a chance, even against one of the NFL's top quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes. The defense held Kansas City to 10 first-half points, despite allowing 274 yards. But it made plays, with three takeaways.

That led to a 13-10 halftime lead.