By MATT PIKE
The Kansas City Chiefs fell in their preseason opener to the Los Angeles Rams 20-12, putting a less than effective offense on the field without several starters playing.
Patrick Mahomes was out, still recovering from the torn ACL and LCL suffered last season. Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, and Rashee Rice also sat out, while Kenneth Walker ran one play and then was pulled from the game. The Chiefs offensive line, as well as Tyquan Thornton, played through the first drive before being replaced by backups.
Through the first half, both the Rams and the Chiefs just exchanged field goals, Rams kicker, and former Missouri Tiger, Harrison Mevis hitting kicks from 25 and 40 yards, while Harrison Butker nailed field goals from 37 and 35 yards out, leaving the teams tied 6-6 at the halftime break. After halftime, it was the same story at first, Butker hitting a 59-yard field goal to put Kansas City up 9-6 going into the fourth quarter.
In the final quarter, the Rams pulled away, rookie quarterback Ty Simpson finding fellow rookie Dean Connors for two touchdowns, while the Chiefs got just a 26-yard field goal from Butker. Kansas City did attempt an onside kick, but the Rams recovered and ran two plays before kneeling out the remaining clock.
While there were some problem areas for the Chiefs, penalties being an area of concern again, Kansas City with 12 penalties to four by Los Angeles, the game provided a good opportunity for the youth of the Chiefs team to get valuable playing time. Seventh round pick Garrett Nussmeier was 13-of-19 for 98 yards through the air. Fifth round pick Emmett Johnson led the team in rushing, running 12 times for 59 yards, while second year running back Brashard Smith ran eight times for 21 yards. The Chiefs' other fifth round pick wide receiver Cyrus Allen had two catches for 20 yards, while undrafted running back Jaydn Ott had two catches for 40 yards.
With his first NFL experience under his belt now, Johnson says it was good but wished for better results.
"Lot of learning lessons, lot of things to learn from, but overall, just a good experience being out there with teammates," Johnson tells reporters in the locker room. "But unfortunately, I wanted to get that win, so that's the part I hate is losing."
For Allen, while it's his second time playing at Arrowhead Stadium, it was his first in a Chiefs jersey, which he says is still pretty surreal
"I'm still learning that I'm playing for the Chiefs, and I'm still looking at Pat like dang that's Patrick Mahomes I'm around," Allen explains. "So, it's still surreal for me."
The Chiefs will now return to St. Joseph for the final four days of Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University, starting Monday at 9:15am. The next preseason game will be on the road in Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers next Saturday.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.