The Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals met Friday for the first time since the 2018 regular season, with an exciting Week 2 preseason showdown that resulted in a 2-0 preseason start for the Chiefs.
This game gave both teams an extensive look at their headlines, while providing deep players another chance to impress. We’re approaching the regular season and significant football, but these snapshots are still a good way to gauge what to expect from next season.
So what did we know about the Chiefs in their second preseason game?
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The initial offense was only able to add three points for Kansas City after a long first drive and some errors in the following ones. The starting defense did a very good job of keeping Kyler Murray out of the end zone and the Cardinals ’offense. As soon as Chad Henne entered the game in the second quarter, the Cardinals began to replace some boys on defense. That’s when the offense started clicking the Chiefs and they didn’t get their foot out of the gas for the rest of the game.
AP Photo / Rick Scuteri
- Chiefs Wire Game Ball: Juan Thornhill
- Harrison Butker Rookie of the game: Creed Humphrey
- Casey Wiegmann Veteran of the game: Chad Henne
- Offensive player of the game Jamaal Charles: Byron Pringle
- Bobby Bell Defensive Player: Chris Jones
- Morten Andersen’s Special Team Game Player: Darwin Thompson
- Otis Taylor game: 17-yard touchdown reception Mecole Hardman.
- Wesley Roesch Game Stats: The Cardinals’ first three offensive attacks resulted in -1 yards.
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- The offensive line took the place where he left the Week 1 preseason. They had a physical appearance in the race game, athletics in the screen game and did a great job protecting the quarterback. They also played football without mistakes, which is huge.
- The running game seems to be a much more important factor for the offense this season, compared to last year, when it was almost one after. Patrick Mahomes looks like he’ll be able to play off the race a little more in the passing game.
- Two players who didn’t get the first team job during the Week 1 preseason got the first team job during the Week 2 preseason. Offensively, Marcus Kemp got a few snapshots of the first team while Muhammad was still in play. On defense, Juan Thornhill equalized after being relegated to second team duties at the start.
- Tyreek Hill adapted but did not play tonight. It’s unclear why he didn’t play. It could only be a free night for the veteran.
- Demarcus Robinson had an early appearance as the top scorer. He has a habit of dancing too much when he really needs to get north-south. He also kept the ball very loose on his second return, which made me very uncomfortable.
- Mecole Hardman and Patrick Mahomes were not on the same page tonight. We covered it extensively in our takeaway meals at the break. They still have some trouble working.
- Daurice Fountain and Marcus Kemp have had explosive plays tonight, with receptions of 46 and 36 yards respectively. They will make things very difficult for those who make the decisions of the bosses when it comes to distributing list positions.
- Michael Burton remains involved in an offense, suggesting the Chiefs plan to incorporate a full defender in 2021.
- I know it’s just the preseason, but Kansas City’s initial defense seems to be at a totally different level in 2021. The seven forwards are stopping the race and putting pressure on the quarterback. The secondary has been sticky in coverage and boarding. It looks like a completely different unit.
- Noah Gray had a much better game this time around, capturing 3 of 3 goals for 22 yards. In the first game of the preseason, he was a goal twice and didn’t catch a single ball.
- Chris Jones continues to look absolutely sensational playing in the defensive end. It’s going to make a lot of guys look silly while working off the edge.
- The interception of Juan Thornhill must have been huge because of his confidence. He is still working his mental way back after a knee injury that ended the 2019 season.
- Omari Cobb continued to shine with the defense of the second team. He seems to be one of the players in the most improved training squad from 2020.
- Jody Fortson has been really impressive as a blocker in the fourth quarter tonight. It’s probably a better blocker than people currently grant it.
- Dicaprio Bootle made his presence known with a sack in the fourth quarter. He’s been working in the slot and it looks like someone’s bosses intend to develop there.
- Derrick Gore looked useful in his fourth-quarter action with the Chiefs. I was hoping it was someone the team would be interested in keeping on the training squad.
- Anthony Gordon had a chance to close the game as Shane Buechele did. He did a very good job managing the game. He didn’t risk the ball, completed 100% of his passes and put the game on ice.
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The Chiefs are returning home to play a game at Arrowhead Stadium for the first time since hosting the Buffalo Bills in the AFC title game. They will face the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised on the NFL national network. NFL-winning writer Terez Paylor will be awarded during the game.