The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs came to State Farm Stadium Saturday night and rolled to a 38-10 victory for their first win of the preseason.
Kansas City piled up 504 yards of total offense and did not turn the ball over or allow a sack.
It was an ugly game.
The recap of the game is below.
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All the starters play
The Cardinals held out a few starters in their preseason opener. They did not against the Chiefs.
All their healthy starters were in the lineup on both offense and defense.
Defense forces 3-and-out to start
The Chiefs had the ball first on offense but the Cardinals’ defense did well. They forced a three-and-out, aided by a third-down offensive pass interference.
Dennis Gardeck stuffed a run play on first down, forcing the third-and-long.
3-and-out on offense
The offense did not start well.
Colt McCoy and Hollywood Brown had a miscommunication about a pass play for an incompletion.
James Conner rushed for six yards and then McCoy’s pass to Rondale Moore was short of the first-down marker.
CB Kris Boyd shaken up
Boyd, who perhaps will be a core special teamer this season, went down after the Cardinals’ second punt of the evening. He was taken to the locker room. It appeared it could be head related or concussion related.
Chiefs 7, Cardinals 0
THIS JUST IN: a touchdown 🎯 @PatrickMahomes x @jwat05 pic.twitter.com/SxqcXMmflu
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 20, 2023
The Cardinals’ defensive starters played two series and forced the Chiefs to punt both times.
In their third series, a few starters came out — safety Budda Baker, linebacker Kyzir White — and backups started getting snaps.
The Chiefs went 92 yards in 10 plays to put points on the board.
Chiefs 14, Cardinals 0
Shane Buechele with room to run!
📱: Stream #KCvsAZ on #NFLPlus https://t.co/L9mPiySUki pic.twitter.com/gaoWZsAXmO
— NFL (@NFL) August 20, 2023
The Chiefs follow up their 92-yard touchdown drive with an 88-yard drive. Patrick Mahomes was out and Shane Buechele in. It is Buechele who scores on a 15-yard scramble for the touchdown.
Chiefs 17, Cardinals 0
Butker connects from 28! pic.twitter.com/c8wL7UGgaz
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 20, 2023
Clayton Tune entered the game on offense at quarterback and the Cardinals went three-and-out.
The Chiefs scored on the ensuing drive for the third straight possession, but this time were held to a 28-yard field goal.
Tune to Dortch for a TD, until it's not a TD
#DortchWasIn🔥 pic.twitter.com/B70gYW8fWF
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 20, 2023
It looked like the Cardinals scored a touchdown with 21 seconds left in the first half. Clayton Tune completed a 10-yard throw to Greg Dortch that he appeared to get into the end zone.
However, on review, it was overturned.
TOUCHDOWN! Chiefs 17, Cardinals 7
absolutely not to be denied 😤@keaontay_ingram x #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/HGa40GO6wA
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 20, 2023
After the touchdown was overturned, the Cardinals had to wait until third-and-goal to get into the end zone. Keaontay Ingram was stuffed at the goalline, Tune threw incomplete to Zach Pascal and then guard Marquis Hayes was penalized for a false start.
On third down, Ingram ran it in from five yards out, getting help from his teammates to push him into the end zone and get the Cardinals on the board.
Chiefs 17, Cardinals 10
From 54 🙌 pic.twitter.com/vhne5Lz9VA
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 20, 2023
The Cardinals opened the second half on offense and pulled within a touchdown. They went 54 yards in 11 plays before stalling, but Matt Prater’s 54-yard field goal made it 17-10.
Arizona benefitted from a pass interference on their first third down and Andre Baccellia had a nice catch and run on another third-down play.
Chiefs 24, Cardinals 10
Catch you on the flip side ✌️@BlaineGabbert x @_ihmirr_ pic.twitter.com/vTRRhbnq20
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 20, 2023
The Chiefs turned the offense over to former Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who sliced and diced Arizona’s third-string defense.
He had a 44-yard pass play and then a 15-yard touchdown pass to Ihmir Smith-Marsette to give the Chiefs a 14-point lead.
From turnover to TD: Chiefs 31, Cardinals 10
Gabbert to Powell for a @Chiefs TD!
📱: Stream #KCvsAZ on #NFLPlus https://t.co/L9mPiySmuK pic.twitter.com/l4opqWiFkV
— NFL (@NFL) August 20, 2023
Blaine Gabbert continued to shred Arizona’s backups but it appeared the Cardinals forced a turnover. He completed an 18-yard pass to Kendall Blanton. The ball came out and the Cardinals recovered it in the end zone.
On review, it wasn’t a turnover. It wasn’t an incomplete pass. It was a completed pass to the one and, on the next play, threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Cornell Powell.
TD nullified; Cardinals turn over ball on downs
The Cardinals have a productive drive and appear to get into the end zone in the fourth quarter. Tune completed a one-yard touchdown pass to Andre Baccellia, but rookie center Jon Gaines was called for an illegal trackback block.
Backed up 15 yards, they went for it on fourth down and were unable to score.
Chiefs 38, Cardinals 10
Blaine Gabbert left the game and Chris Oladokun entered it, and the offensive mastery continued.
The Chiefs went 91 yards on 11 plays, capping the drive with a two-yard Deneric Prince touchdown run.
David Blough's final drive stymied
The Cardinals threatened on a last-minute drive to get some points. They were bailed out going for it on fourth down deep in their territory when the Chiefs were called for pass interception.
Blough got them into scoring position but ultimately ran out of the time and was sacked on the final play of the game.
