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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.
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.
Chiefs: visit the Seahawks on Friday, Aug. 15.
Cardinals: visit the Broncos on Saturday, Aug. 16.
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