Kansas City star Quarterback Patrick Mahomes left the Cardinals overwhelmed and demoralized on the way to a 44-21 win on Sunday night.
The Cardinals were the unfortunate opponent the NFL selected to open the season against the Chiefs. The truth is they were really just there to help send out a bigger message for Mahomes. Even without star receiver Tyreek Hill, one of the league’s most potent skill-position players, the Chiefs will still be an offensive juggernaut.
“I always feel like I have something to prove,” Mahomes said, smiling. “I’m just a guy from Texas Tech that (certain analysts) said couldn’t play in the NFL. I always have that mindset of going out there and proving that we’re the Chiefs and we still have a chance to win the AFC championship and win the Super Bowl.”
Chiefs Performance
The Chiefs’ second drive in the third quarter ended in a touchdown, yet another highlight in an opening-day game full of them from Mahomes. The score extended the Chiefs’ lead to 30 points (37-7), and it led to one of Mahomes’ signature celebrations, as he used his fingers to count his number of touchdown passes. The Chiefs have never lost their season-opening game since Mahomes became their starter; they hold the league’s longest active streak with eight consecutive victories.
“It’s coach Reid getting more weeks to game plan,” Mahomes said. “That’s always a good thing for me because he’s getting guys kind of running wide open. The coaches do a great job, man. We know when the blitzes are coming and where the hot (routes) are. It’s always good when you’re a quarterback and you know who you’re going to throw it to before the play even starts.”
The Chiefs started the game by scoring a touchdown pass on three consecutive possessions. One of Reid’s biggest concerns entering the game proved to be one of the offense’s greatest strengths.
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New Look Chiefs
Coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach supported Mahomes by acquiring four new receivers. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Justin Watson and rookie Skyy Moore. The first result of the biggest offseason decisions from Reid and Veach was a thorough, balanced passing attack from the Chiefs that dismantled the Cardinals’ defense.
Mahomes was not sacked and did not commit a turnover, finishing with 360 passing yards to go with five touchdowns.
