Arrowhead Pride
The Kansas City Chiefs played better than many may have expected, but still dropped a 20-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in their home opener on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, beginning the season 0-2 for the first time since 2014.
The Eagles would start at their own 31 after wideout John Metchie III returned Harrison Butker’s kickoff from in front of the end zone. George Karlaftis brought Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts down in the backfield on first down, causing a fumble. The Eagles landed on the ball and lost three yards. The Chiefs then wasted a chance to get the Eagles off the field early with an offsides penalty on Chris Jones paired with a seven-yard pass to wide receiver AJ Brown on third-and-8. The Eagles converted on the patented “tush push,” though the first down was actually given by penalty. The next set of downs would be more productive for the Chiefs defense. Star running back Saquan Barkley lost a yard on first down, and the Eagles would only advance six yards to midfield on the next two plays. Punter Braden Mann’s kick went out of bounds at the Kansas City nine-yard line, where Patrick Mahomes and company would take over.
The Chiefs would go three-and-out after a promising seven-yard run from Isiah Pacheco on first down. Punting from his own 16-yard line, Matt Araiza boomed the kick to the Eagles 22-yard line, where wide receiver Jahan Dotson called for a fair catch.
The Chiefs quickly again got the Eagles into a third-and-long after Hurts was incomplete on first down and Barkley lost a yard on a second down reception. On third down, Hurts was incomplete to Brown. Mann’s punt went to Nikko Remigio at the 17-yard line. He returned it 18 yards to start the Chiefs offense at their own 35-yard line.
Mahomes scrambled for 11 yards on the drive’s first play. The Chiefs would advance to the Philadelphia 37-yard line over the next five plays. Unfortunately, a false start penalty on Kareem Hunt pushed the Chiefs back outside the 40-yard line. Hunt only gained three of the yards back on third-and-16. Butker came on for a 57-yard field goal, but the attempt sailed to the right and was no good. The Eagles took over at their own 48-yard line.
The Eagles moved the chains to the Chiefs 42 on the next three plays. On the next set of downs, the Eagles executed perfect blocking on a screen to Devonte Smith to the 24-yard line. After backup running back AJ Dillon gained 11 yards on the next two carriers, Barkley finished the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run. Jake Elliot’s extra point opened the scoring at Eagles 7, Chiefs 0.
Running back Brashard Smith returned the kickoff to the Chiefs’ 32-yard line. Pacheco gained two yards on first down, and the first quarter expired.
Mahomes opened the second frame with a pass to Kelce near midfield. Two plays later, Mahomes took...
