Chiefs football is officially back with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals 38-17 in the first game of the preseason. There were some great things that happened on the offensive side of the ball, but the defense had some struggles early in the game. Overall it was a great start for the Chiefs to begin the season. Here are five takeaways from the game:
Patrick Mahomes and the offense are still elite
The Chiefs’ offense has showed no signs of slowing down as Patrick Mahomes and the first team offense got off to a quick start. The first play of the game was a 36-yard pass to Mahomes’ favorite target Travis Kelce. The starting offense needed just one drive before Andy Reid felt comfortable pulling them out of the game.
Mahomes couldn’t have had a better drive as he went 4-for-4 for 66 yards through the air and 10 yards rushing. With all the weapons on offense in Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and the addition of new playmakers like Mecole Hardman and Darwin Thompson, it begs the question — can this offense get even better?
Mahomes looks like he has improved from last season, which is saying a lot considering he threw for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. Granted its the first preseason game and both the Chiefs and Bengals were vanilla, but Mahomes looks so comfortable and confident in the pocket. I would not be surprised if he had another MVP caliber season in 2019.
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Charvarius Ward was unimpressive
The Chiefs were one of the worst teams in the defending the pass in 2018 and they didn’t have a great start this year against the Bengals. The starters were rotated after the second play so fans shouldn’t worry too much, but there were times in the game when the Bengals took advantage of the poor pass defense. They didn’t have their starting receivers in the game either, so it wasn’t the most encouraging of moments. The Chiefs must improve in this area if they want to be compete for a Super Bowl.
One player who struggled was second-year CB Charvarius Ward, who gave up five completions in coverage during the first half. Several of those plays contributed to the Bengals’ opening drive that set up a touchdown for running back Trayveon Williams. It’s unlikely the Bengals gameplanned to target Ward, but it’s not an encouraging sign, especially given the Chiefs’ decision to bring in veteran CB Mo Claiborne this past week. Ward may be in danger of losing his starting position if he’s unable to improve.
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Mecole Hardman looks like the real deal
Mecole Hardman had a great start to his NFL career against the Bengals.
He looks primed for a bigger role with the offense than many may have expected. Hardman showcased his speed on a jet sweep, going untouched for a 17-yard touchdown. Hardman doesn’t quite have the speed of Tyreek Hill, but he’s going to be a problem for defenses if you get him the ball in space. Hardman still has a long way to go as a receiver, but I have no doubt that Andy Reid will find unique ways to get him the football.
It will be nice to see if Hardman gets some playing time with Mahomes in the next preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. There will be speed all over the field, making the offense that much more dangerous and entertaining. Chief fans should expect more from Hardman going into the next couple of games and heading into the regular season.
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Nothing to worry about at the backup TE position
The Chiefs often use multiple tight end sets, but with the departure of Demetrius Harris there were some questions about who would step up in his absence. Both Deon Yelder and Blake Bell each had over 30 yards receiving, while Yelder was also able to find the end zone. The Chiefs also had a couple of good plays from John Lovett before left the game with a separated shoulder.
It’s good to see all three players are getting an opportunity and pushing to make the roster. Having that competition is only going to beneficial for the Chiefs.
There were a few dropped passes throughout the game from Yelder and Bell, but it could have simply been some nerves from the first preseason action for both players. I wouldn’t be surprised if Reid gets them more involved with the first team offense, because he already knows what he has in Kelce allowing for the young players to prove they belong.
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Tanoh Kpassagnon and Breeland Speaks look improved
Tahnoh Kpassagnon and Breeland Speaks have been heavily criticized over the last few years for not being able to make it on the field much since joining the Chiefs. The two were moved into first team defense on Saturday, as Frank Clark and Alex Oakfor were out for the game. They both look to be comfortable in the defensive scheme, and made some big plays including back-to-back sacks by the two at the end of the first half. Kpassagnon showed burst and athleticism on multiple plays, while Speaks showed strength and high effort. There’s still room for improvement, but this is a good start for both players.
I would expect Kpassagnon and Speaks to get less playing time next week against the Steelers, unless Clark and Okafor don’t make a return to the starting lineup. It’ll be important to have some depth along the defensive line as injuries can happen quickly and leave the team in a tough spot.
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