Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters last week he was disappointed in his starters by how they came out ‘flat’ in the first game of the NFL preseason against New Orleans and expected a faster tempo in the following exhibition match. Well, the players appeared to have received the memo. The Chiefs returned to the site of their Super Bowl 57 championship victory from a season ago and overwhelmed the Cardinals on both sides of the football on Saturday.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes told the media before the matchup that he expected the team to have ‘better energy’ as opposed to the way they played against the Saints, and that’s precisely how you could describe the way the Chiefs played – “Energized” – in what became a one-sided offensive showcase as Kansas City walks away from the desert with a 38-10 victory.
First Quarter
Bost offenses struggled to get much going in the first quarter, punting on each of their first two possesses. With just over four minutes to play, Kansas City finally found a rhythm established by a seven-yard gain on the ground by running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. CEH caught a 12-yard pass three plays later that moved the chains from the 21-yard line to the 33. After two three-yard gains, Mahomes converted 3rd and 4 with a short completion to wide receiver Justyn Ross that turned into a 12-yard gain before he was shoved out of bounds at around midfield.
On the following play, Mahomes chucked a pass deep for receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 21-yard gain to Arizona’s side of the field at the 28-yard line. After the play, an unnecessary roughness foul was called on Arizona safety Isaiah Simmons after he appeared to have spired MVS with the crown of his helmet as he went down to the turf. The penalty tacked on 14 yards to the end of the play, moving Kansas City to the 14-yard line. The next snap was nullified due to an illegal use-of-hands penalty on right tackle Jawaan Taylor, backing the Chiefs’ offense up four yards to the 18.
On the next play, Mahomes rolled to his right on play-action and found wide receiver Justin Watson in the end zone for the touchdown as the quarter expired. Mahomes’ night came to an end after the score. He finished 10 of 15 for 105 yards passing and a score.
Second Quarter
The Cardinals got the ball to begin the second period but only traveled four yards in five plays before being forced to punt. Defensive tackle Danny Shelton made an excellent play on 1st and 10, getting penetration at the line and stuffing the running back Keaontay Ingram for a one-yard gain. On the following play, Drue Tranquill closed in on Ingram as he entered the hole, limiting him to a three-yard gain. Third-string rookie quarterback Clayton Tune’s pass for receiver Ander Baccellia fell incomplete, and Arizona had to punt.
Shane Buechele was the second quarterback to enter the game for Kansas City. The 25-year-old was coming off of a terrific performance last week and had his best on Saturday. His first snap of the game was a short pass to tight end Noah Gray which turned into a 12-yard play to the 24-yard line. Two plays later, Buechele handed the ball to running back Jerick McKinnon, who sliced up the middle for a 19-yard run. On 1st and ten at the 43-yard line, Buechele connects deep with rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice for a 38 completion to the Cardinal 18-yard line. Three plays later, 15 yards from the goal line, Buechele scrambled to his left and found a lane to the end zone for the score to increase the lead to 14-0 midway through the second quarter.
After forcing Arizona to go three-and-out again, Buechele and the Chiefs’ offense began making their way upfield. The first two plays went to Rashee Rice, one for a two-yards, another for ten. Three plays later, Buechele looked Rice’s way again, this time for 28 yards to the Cardinal 17-yard line. Three plays later, Kansas City failed to pick up another first down as the drive stalled ten yards from the end zone, and Kansas City called kicker Harrison Butker to send in a field goal to extend the lead to 17-0 with 2:00 left in the first half.
The two-minute drill was a success for Arizona as Kansas City allowed Clayton Tune to take his offense 69 yards in 19 plays before finally getting on the board to end the first half with a 17-7 score.
Third Quarter
Shane Buechele’s night ended following the expiration of the first half. He finished the night going 10 of 10 for 105 yards passing and one rushing touchdown. Blaine Gabbert entered the game for Kansas City after Arizona picked up a field goal on their possession to open the third quarter.
With 9:26 on the clock, Gabbert began moving his third-string offense along the field. After two short bursts, a five-yard run by La’Mical Perine, and a six-yard pass to Justyn Ross, Gabbert chucked the ball deep for wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette for a 44-yard completion to the Cardinal 30. On the next play, Gabbert went deep again, this time for an 11-yard completion for Rashee Rice that moved the chains to the 19-yard line. Three plays later, Gabbert checks down to Smith-Marsette on a short crossing route, and the former Iowa Hawkeye does the rest as he turns on the jets and hurries up the sideline 15-yards for the pylon to score the touchdown.
On Kansas City’s next possession with 4:15 left in the third, the Chiefs quickly moved up the field, starting with two La’Mical Perine runs; one was a gain of eight yards, and another was 16. On the next play, Babbert used his arm again to get another chunk play, this time, a 25-yard connection to tight end Michael Bushman to advance the Chiefs close to midfield. Two plays later, Gabbert goes deep again, this time for tight end Kendall Blanton, who makes the catch at the goal line before losing the football. The officials initially ruled the play a completed catch and a fumble recovered by Arizona. Upon review, the play was reversed and ruled a completed catch, down by contact before the ball came out. The ruling set Kansas City up at the one-yard line as Gabbert sets up the play action before rolling to his right and connecting with wide receiver Cornell Powell for the score. Gabbert’s night ended following his second scoring drive. He finished the night 7 of 8 for 120 yards and two touchdowns.
Fourth Quarter
Arizona returned to the field with 1:29 left in the third quarter. Clayton Tune led an impressive 19-play drive as the Cardinals methodically moved up the field by taking what the Chiefs gave them. Fortunately for Kansas City, disaster struck as Arizona was knocking on the door a yard from the end zone. After completing a short pass to Andre Baccellia for an easy score, an illegal crack-back block penalty was called, nullifying the touchdown and pushing the Cardinals’ offense back to the 15-yard line.
After three plays, Arizona failed to convert for a first and turned the ball over on downs back to Kansas City. Fourth-string QB Chris Oladokun entered the game on Kansas City’s final series of the night. With 9:44 left in the game at the nine-yard line, Oladokun made up for his gaming-losing turnover from a week ago by back converting three third-downs and leading the offense 84 yards in 13 plays before handing the ball off to undrafted rookie running back Deneric Prince for a two-yard score. Oldokun finished the night 6 of 8 for 68 yards passing as Kansas City came away with their first victory of the 2023 preseason with a final score of 38-10.
