For the second preseason in a row, Kansas City continues its winning tradition by remaining undefeated in exhibition play after a 28-25 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Friday evening. Head Coach Andy Reid’s initial plan was to have the starters take the field for the entire first half, however, an electric first quarter by Patrick Mahomes and company showed Reid everything he needed to see from his big playmakers.
On Kansas City’s first two possessions in the opening quarter, Mahomes led consecutive scoring drives to quickly pull the Chiefs ahead of the Vikings, 14-3, and amp up the Arrowhead crowd. Mahomes, of course, was stellar, completing 8 of 9 throws for 117 yards and two scores.
The Chiefs’ offense displayed to everyone they were more than ready to get the season going, as Mahomes threw a side-arm pass to tight end Travis Kelce for a 28-yard gain. Then, two plays later, Mahomes tosses a deep bomb over the top for wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who burns former teammate Bashaud Breeland, for the first score of the game.
On the second drive, Mahomes rolls to his right from Minnesota’s five-yard-line before throwing a bullet across his body to tight end Blake Bell for touchdown number two.
The final three-quarters of the game was backup quarterback Shane Buechele’s show, to help the coaches determine if he’s worth a spot on the final 53 or belongs on the practice squad. Overall, Buechele had a good game, connecting on 20 of 33 throwing attempts for 231 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick.
On the ground, coach Reid didn’t dial up too many rushing plays, however, Derrick Gore was the top rusher in tonight’s game with six touches for 26 yards. Gore was also the Chiefs’ leading receiver against Minnesota, catching five passes for 80 yards. His biggest play of the night was a screenplay that he took up the field for a 56-yard dash to the endzone mid-way in the third quarter.
Through the air, the Chiefs have two receivers who are hopeful to make the team that continue to build on a terrific preseason.
Daurice Fountain has been the talk of the wide receiver’s room for what he’s been able to do on the field. Fountain registered three catches for 26 yards to cap off a preseason where he totaled 10 receptions for 118 yards.
The other is Marcus Kemp, who the Chiefs coaching staff raves about for his ability to make plays on special teams when setting up blocks. However, he’s also branching out and showing he can be quite the receiver. Kemp caught three balls for 41 yards and a score against Minnesota late in the second quarter. Through three preseason games, Kemp has made six grabs for 87 yards and a score.
Another big talking point around the Chiefs this preseason has been the dominant defensive play and it showed up again against the Vikings.
Minnesota converted only two of its 14 third-down conversion attempts which resulted in a missed field goal and two giveaways. One of those takeaways for Kansas City was defensive back Amani Watts picking off Vikings backup QB Kellen Mond to begin the second half.
Later in the third, defensive end, Tim Ward got the sack on Mond which forced a fumble that was recovered by rookie DE Joshua Kaindoh. On the Vikings’ very next drive, Kansas City displayed an excellent goal-line stand that forced Minnesota’s 17-play drive to come up empty-handed in the red zone.
With their backs against the wall at the two-yard-line, Mond floated a pass for receiver Myron Mitchell that was batted away by defensive back Marlon Character, who turned his body and played the ball perfectly, without interfering, to force fourth-and-goal.
On fourth-down, Minnesota decided to go for the touchdown by handing the ball off to running back A.J. Rose, who is immediately stuffed by defensive tackle Austin Edwards.
Now that the 2021 preseason is officially in the books, the Chiefs have until Tuesday, August 31 to finalize their 53-man roster they’ll be opening the regular season with.
Kansas City will take on the Cleveland Browns on September 12 to kick off the 2021 campaign.
