Arrowhead Pride
On Saturday night, the Kansas City Chiefs opened the preseason with a 20-17 road loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Just as we would expect, some players showed out, while others did not. But the night’s worst news came from the injury tent, as one Kansas City player went into the concussion protocol and another sustained what could be a season-ending injury.
The game saw a wild start as Cardinals wide receiver fumbled the opening kickoff at the Arizona 23-yard line. Linebacker Jack Cochrane was credited with the forced fumble, and Chiefs rookie running back Brashard Smith came up with the loose ball. An Arizona blocking penalty then set the Chiefs up at the Arizona 13-yard line to start the drive. Running back Isiah Pacheco started the drive with an eight-yard carry to the 5-yard line. Patrick Mahomes’ first throw of the night went to training camp star Tyquan Thornton. Though the pass fell incomplete, Arizona was called for pass interference in the end zone. A play later, Mahomes found wideout Jason Brownlee for a one-yard touchdown pass. Harrison Butker came on for the extra point to open the scoring at Chiefs 7, Cardinals 0.
Arizona narrowly averted a disaster as the Cardinals again fumbled the kickoff, but they were able to maintain possession. Quarterback Kyler Murray started the drive impressively by converting a third down with a 12-yard throw to Michael Wilson before finding Marvin Harrison Jr. two plays later with a 15-yard throw to give Arizona a first down at the Kansas City 30. Murray and running back James Conner put 13 yards on the ground before the veteran quarterback threw an interception to second-year safety Jaden Hicks. The Chiefs took possession at their own 21-yard line.
Despite Andy Reid’s pledge to give each quarterback a quarter, Gardner Minshew came on for Mahomes for the second possession. The drive started with promise as Minshew found Thornton for a 15-yard gain, and Kareem Hunt added a 10-yard run to the Arizona 47-yard line. Unfortunately, the possession stalled near midfield with Minshew fumbling a snap before rookie Jalen Royals’ first catch going for a one yard loss. Punter Matt Araiza came on at the Arizna 49-yard line and placed the ball inside the 10-yard line. A short return set the Cardinals up at their own 18-yard line.
With many of the Chiefs’ defensive regulars exiting the game, the Cardinals’ starting offense had little difficulty moving the ball. Murray started the drive with a 21-yard pass to tight end Trey McBride. A few plays later, running back Trey Benson appeared to set up a first down at the Kansas City 12-yard line, but a personal foul forced second-and-21 at the 35-yard line. Murray found Benson on a screen to gain 20 yards on the down as the first quarter expired. The Chiefs would face a defensive third-and-1 at their on 15-yard line on the other side of the break.
Benson did not gain the needed yard...
