GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Patrick Mahomes needed just 48 seconds on the field to get his preseason off to a good start.
Mahomes a three-time Super Bowl champ entering his ninth season with the Kansas City Chiefs took advantage of a short field after the Arizona Cardinals fumbled the opening kickoff, hitting Jason Brownlee for a 1-yard touchdown and an early 7-0 lead.
Arizona rallied for a 20-17 win over Kansas City in the preseason opener for both teams on Saturday night.
The TD pass was Mahomes’ only completion of the game, ending a brief, effective outing. Backup Gardner Minshew took over on the next series and ran for a 2-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Harrison Butker made a 58-yard field goal.
Mahomes’ final line: 1-for-1 passing for 1 yard and one touchdown. The three-time defending AFC champions were playing for the first time since losing last season’s Super Bowl 40-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles.
While Kansas City got off to a good start, Arizona’s starters were a little sloppy.
The Cardinals fumbled their first two kickoff returns, though they recovered the second one. Kyler Murray playing in his first preseason game since 2021 was intercepted on the offense’s opening drive on a pass intended for second-year receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Murray’s second drive was hindered when tight end Tip Reiman was called for a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness. The miscue was part of the reason the Cardinals had to settle for a 33-yard field goal by Chad Ryland.
Murray played two drives, completing 7 of 8 passes for 96 yards and the interception. Tight end Trey McBride caught one pass for 21 yards and Harrison had a catch for 15 yards.
The Cardinals trailed 14-3 early but Emari Demercado caught a 43-yard touchdown pass to cut the margin to 14-10. Xavier Weaver caught a 1-yard touchdown pass that gave the Cardinals a 17-14 lead at halftime.
Both touchdowns were thrown by Arizona’s new backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who completed 5 of 8 passes for 81 yards. The Cardinals outgained the Chiefs 355 yards to 249.
The Cardinals who are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021 finished last season with an 8-9 record, which was a four-win improvement 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 first half. Safety Deon Bush (Achilles tendon) was carted off the field in the second quarter.
Up next
Chiefs: visit the Seahawks on Friday, Aug. 15.
Cardinals: visit the Broncos on Saturday, Aug. 16.
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