One pass, one TD: Mahomes, Chiefs get off to good

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)– Quarterback Patrick Mahomes spent a long time before Saturday’s preseason game running up and down the Kansas City Chiefs sideline, shouting, leaping and psyching himself up for his very first game action because last season’s Super Bowl.He was all set– for all 48 seconds of it.Advertisement Mahomes

, a three-time Super

Bowl champ entering his ninth season, made the most of a brief field after the Arizona Cardinals fumbled the opening kickoff, hitting Jason Brownlee for a 1-yard goal and an early 7-0 lead less than one minute into the game.Arizona rallied for a 20-17 win over Kansas City in the preseason

opener for both teams.Mahomes said coach Andy Reid informed him before the game that he ‘d play just one series

, however it was an even shorter night than he imagined. “One series turned into one throw,” Mahomes stated, grinning.The TD pass was Mahomes’

only conclusion of the game, ending a short, effective outing. Backup Gardner Minshew took control of on the next series and ran for a 2-yard goal in the second quarter. Harrison Butker made a 58-yard field goal.Advertisement Mahomes ‘final line: 1-for-1 passing for 1 yard and one goal. The three-time protecting AFC champs were playing

for the first time given that losing last season’s Super Bowl 40-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles. “There were some good things,”Reid stated.”I believed the (starters) played well when they were in, they were sharp. After that, we were too careless.

Too many charges, going backwards.” While Kansas City left to an excellent start, Arizona did not.The Cardinals fumbled their very first 2 kickoff returns, though they recovered the 2nd one. Kyler

Murray– playing in his very first preseason game because 2021– was intercepted

on the offense’s opening drive on a pass intended for second-year receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.Advertisement Murray’s 2nd drive was prevented when tight end Pointer Reiman was called for a 15-yard penalty for unneeded roughness. The miscue became part of the factor the Cardinals had to choose a 33-yard field goal by Chad Ryland.Murray picked to remain favorable about the outing, saying that even with the errors, it was great to get on the field and play at game speed. “You can’t duplicate it in practice, moving with the speed that you’re moving, going delegated right, lateral, bodies moving. I had fun. I had a great deal of enjoyable out there,”Murray said.Murray played two drives, completing 7 of 8 passes for 96 yards and the interception.

Tight end Trey McBride caught one pass for 21 backyards and Harrison had a catch for 15 yards.Advertisement The Cardinals tracked 14-3 early but Emari Demercado caught a 43-yard goal pass to cut the margin to 14-10.

Xavier Weaver captured a 1-yard touchdown pass that offered the Cardinals a 17-14 lead at halftime.Both touchdowns were tossed by Arizona’s new backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who finished

5 of 8 passes for

81 backyards. The Cardinals outgained the Chiefs 355 yards to 249. Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon echoed Murray’s favorable outlook, even after the early errors.”The group– not just Kyler– understood why we’re doing what we’re doing this evening,”Gannon

said.”They were excited to get under the lights. That’s the AFC champs being available in here. Andy Reid– Hall of Fame coach. They were excited to play a really great team, get lathered up and bang a little on somebody other than themselves.Advertisement”It was excellent to see our guys prepared to roll.”The Cardinals– who are attempting to make the playoffs for the very first time because 2021– finished last season with an 8-9 record, which was a four-win enhancement over the previous season. Arizona revamped its defensive front during the offseason, adding Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell.Injuries Chiefs: Cornerback Jaylen Watson (concussion protocol )left the game in the very first half. Security Deon Bush(Achilles tendon )was hauled off the field in the 2nd quarter.Cardinals: Gannon

said postgame that offensive lineman Christian Jones had a knee injury.Up next Chiefs: visit the Seahawks on Friday, Aug. 15. Cardinals: visit the Broncos on Saturday, Aug. 16. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl