Kenneth Walker scored three touchdowns as Kansas City Chiefs ended a two-game losing run with a 35-12 win over the New York Jets at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.

Walker caught two touchdown passes from Patrick Mahomes in the first half and ran for another score after the break, finishing with 102 rushing yards from 18 carries and 41 receiving yards. His 11 total touchdowns this season leave him level with Jahmyr Gibbs at the top of the league standings, and it was the fifth time this season he has scored more than once in a game, with the Chiefs winning on every such occasion.

The Jets had made the better start and led 6-0 after the first quarter, but they could not turn their early control into touchdowns. They ran 39 offensive plays in the first half to the Chiefs' 24 and held the ball for more than 20 minutes, yet had to settle for four field goals from Jason Sanders, from 23, 48, 49 and 54 yards, and trailed 14-12 at half-time.

Mahomes gave the Chiefs a scare just before the break when he hurt his right elbow in a sack by Jets first-round pick David Bailey, with the Chiefs also losing a fumble on the play. The quarterback stayed in the game, however, and showed no ill effects in the second half, completing 23 of 31 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns.

The Chiefs took complete control after half-time, outscoring the Jets 21-0 in the second half. Travis Kelce, who caught four passes for 72 yards, added a one-yard rushing touchdown, and running back Emmett Johnson also crossed the line as Kansas City turned a close contest into a comfortable win.

The Chiefs' defence played its part too. Geno Smith was sacked five times, with defensive tackle Chris Jones and George Karlaftis taking two sacks each, and the Jets' offence faded badly after half-time. Smith was seen venting his frustration on the sideline as the game slipped away from the visitors.

The win lifts the Chiefs to 6-2 for the season and keeps them firmly in the playoff race, while the Jets fall to 2-7 after a fourth straight defeat. It was the Jets' fourth loss in a row, and head coach Aaron Glenn's side have now won only five of 26 games under his leadership, with a home game against the Buffalo Bills next on the schedule.

There was one concern for Kansas City despite the win. Kicker Harrison Butker missed another field goal, and with Justin Tucker on the practice squad, the Chiefs may consider a change before next Sunday's trip to Atlanta, where they face the Falcons.