GLENDALE, Ariz. — — Kansas Metropolis coach Andy Reid appeared barely perplexed throughout Sunday’s postgame press convention when requested why his quarterback Patrick Mahomes is so good in season openers.
Reid did not discover any distinction.
“He’s fairly good on a regular basis,” he stated with a slight grin. “We’re fortunate to have him.”
Mahomes threw for 360 yards and 5 touchdowns, Clyde Edwards-Helaire caught two landing passes and the Chiefs rolled to a formidable 44-21 street win over the Arizona Cardinals within the opener for each groups.
The sport was by no means unsure after the opening minutes, with Mahomes selecting aside the Cardinals’ protection along with his common array of fine choices and deft passing contact. The quarterback was taking part in his first NFL recreation in opposition to Kliff Kingsbury, who coached Mahomes in school at Texas Tech and now leads the Cardinals.
The scholar placed on fairly a present for his mentor: The 2018 MVP threw three landing passes on Kansas Metropolis’s first three drives.
After his fourth landing, he turned towards the Cardinals’ sideline for just a little trash speak, holding up four fingers to remind them of the harm he had already brought about in opposition to the Arizona protection.
Mahomes stated regardless of how profitable he turns into, he’ll all the time really feel just like the underdog. He is now 5-0 in season openers, throwing 18 touchdowns and nil interceptions.
“I am only a man from Texas Tech they stated could not play within the NFL,” Mahomes stated. “I’ve all the time had that mindset of proving we are the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, we nonetheless can win the AFC Championship, win the AFC West and win the Tremendous Bowl.”
Tight finish Travis Kelce caught eight passes for 121 yards and a landing. It was his thirtieth profession recreation with at the very least 100 yards receiving. Kansas Metropolis outgained Arizona 488 yards to 282. Mahomes accomplished 30 of 39 passes.
“We all the time believed we have been going to go on the market and placed on a present,” Mahomes stated. “Guys did that.”
The onslaught began in a rush.
Kansas Metropolis jumped out to a 7-0 lead on the opening drive, capping an 11-play, 75-yard march with a 9-yard landing go from Mahomes to Kelce. The Chiefs pushed forward 14-0 later within the first on a nifty play from Mahomes, who threw an underhanded shovel go to Edwards-Helaire for the 3-yard rating.
The Chiefs led 23-7 by halftime after Harrison Butker, who missed a part of the primary half with a left ankle damage, made a 54-yard subject objective with two seconds left within the second quarter.
Kansas Metropolis — which is making an attempt to make the AFC title recreation for a fifth straight season — had a 37-7 benefit by the fourth quarter.
It was a tough begin for Arizona, which additionally suffered by way of a brutal ending to 2021. The Cardinals have misplaced six of seven video games courting to final season, together with the playoffs.
“They beat us in each approach,” Kingsbury stated. “There isn’t any denying it, no hiding from it. We didn’t execute in any section and so they performed at a excessive degree.”
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was taking part in his first recreation since being rewarded with a $230.5 million, five-year contract in the course of the offseason. He completed 22-of-34 passing for 193 yards and two touchdowns, although a lot of that manufacturing got here when the Chiefs already had management of the sport.
“You may both begin sulking about it or look within the mirror for what it’s,” Murray stated. “It is a lengthy season. We bought punched within the mouth. How do you reply?”
The Cardinals got here into Week 1 lacking a few of their greatest gamers. Three-time All-Professional receiver DeAndre Hopkins was suspended for the season’s first six video games after violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug coverage. Star defensive lineman J.J. Watt was inactive due to a calf damage.
SAFETY KICKER
Butker left the sport within the first quarter due to an ankle damage, so the Chiefs turned to security Justin Reid to deal with the job.
He really did OK.
Reid was made 1 of two makes an attempt on further factors and likewise blasted a kickoff by way of the again of the top zone for a touchback. The protection was ready for his position because the emergency kicker: He made an additional level throughout a preseason recreation.
Butker returned late within the second quarter.
READY TO GO
Mahomes accomplished landing passes on the primary three drives of Kansas Metropolis’s season. He is the second quarterback to do this since at the very least 1991. The opposite was Inexperienced Bay’s Aaron Rodgers in 2011.
INJURIES
Chiefs: RG Trey Smith (ankle) left the sport within the first half and did not return. … CB Trent McDuffie (hamstring) left the sport within the second half. … Mahomes fell on his left wrist in the course of the first quarter, which is his non-throwing arm. The quarterback stated he was sore, however postgame assessments did not reveal any structural harm.
Cardinals: Arizona entered the sport with a banged-up roster, particularly contemplating that is the primary week of the season. WR Rondale Moore (hamstring), CB Trayvon Mullen (toe), OL Justin Pugh (neck) and Watt have been all inactive due to accidents.
UP NEXT
Chiefs: Host the Chargers on Thursday evening.
Cardinals: Journey to face the Raiders subsequent Sunday.
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