The reigning Super Bowl champions, Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans in the season opener tonight, 34-20.
Precise, sharp, and lethal, that is the exact description of Kansas City’s game. Despite having just nine yards more from the scrimmage than the Texans, the Chiefs were routine against one of the biggest rivals in the AFC. Patrick Mahomes perfectly organized the offense, without overloading or anything similar.
The Texans won the opening quarter with 7-0, but there was no doubt that the champs are going to come back and break them at some point. And that is what eventually happened.
A furious second quarter saw the hosts scoring 17 of their 31 consecutive points, knocking out the opponents. Andy Reid wouldn’t allow Bill O’Brien to beat him for the second straight time at home in the regular-season matchups.
David Johnson, who arrived from Arizona Cardinals in a trade that included DeAndre Hopkins, struck first to give the guests a lead, 4:54 before the end of the first. But that was all from the Texans until the middle of the final period.
Just 47 seconds into the second quarter, Mahomes found Travis Kelce for a six-yard TD, to level the score and immediately respond to Houston’s challenge. Following his answer, the defensive team provided one themselves.
They forced the Texans to punt, which allowed Mahomes to lead one more drive that ended with a score. After 15 plays and 89 yards, the 2018 NFL MVP found Sammy Watkins in the end zone for a two-yard TD.
Houston’s next attack ended with a missed FG, while on the other side, the Chiefs managed to use their three-point attempt in the closing moments of the first half.
The fans saw two more TDs of the hosts. The first was delivered by a fantastic rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire who ended today’s game with 138 rushing yards on 25 carries, and the second by Tyreek Hill.
FINAL: The @Chiefs open the season with a 34-20 win! #Kickoff2020 #ChiefsKingdom
(by @Lexus) pic.twitter.com/ARPHC9E1tO
— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2020
After that, Deshaun Watson found Jordan Adkins in the end zone to cut the deficit, and he himself scored one TD after a one-yard rush. Harrison Butker added his second FG to confirm the hosts’ win, with half a minute to go.
Mahomes threw for 211 yards, 24-for-32, and three TDs. His wide receivers all had an equal share of actions, Watkins 82 yards, Kelce 50, and Hill 46.
Watson had 253 passing yards, one TD pass, and one interception. As said before, the Texans QB added a rushing touchdown too. Will Fuller V had 112 receiving yards in 8 catches.
Next, the Chiefs face the Chargers at the new SoFi Stadium, while Texans host the Baltimore Ravens. Both matches are on September 20.
