A preseason loss wasn’t how the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs supposed to get their 2022 marketing campaign underway, however the hard-fought sport in Chicago was removed from a complete waste. A number of up-and-coming gamers stood out on either side of the ball, and with two exhibition video games left to proceed enhancing, the staff has loads of time to get into common season kind earlier than the video games truly rely.
The ultimate rating was reflective of simply how shut the groups performed one another, and primarily based on Patrick Mahomes’ first drive, it isn’t a stretch to assume Kansas Metropolis would’ve come away victorious in an actual sport situation. Preseason soccer is all about preparation and, to that finish, the Chiefs regarded ok to maintain the religion concerning one other potential Tremendous Bowl run.
Listed here are 4 key takeaways from the primary motion they noticed this season:
Justin Watson proved he’s worthy of coaching camp hype
AP Photograph/David Banks
The Penn product placed on a present at Soldier Area and would’ve been a possible participant of the sport candidate if the Chiefs had pulled out the win. His 5 catches led all gamers on each groups. He capped his efficiency with a unbelievable leaping landing seize within the second quarter.
“You’ve seen all of it coaching camp, and I noticed all of it OTAs and every little thing like that,” Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes mentioned of Watson after the sport. “He can fly, however he’s an even bigger man and might make the contact catches. Props to Shane (Buechele) as a result of I used to be saying throw the beneath route on the sideline and get the primary down. Shane threw the publish down the center and gave Watson an opportunity to go up and make the play.”
Watson stays in competition for one of many last receiver spots on Kansas Metropolis’s 53-man roster. One other game-changing efficiency just like the one he managed in opposition to the Bears would go a great distance in the direction of securing that spot. If he appears to be like pretty much as good in follow with Mahomes as he did in preseason catching balls from Shane Buechele, he’ll be a tough man to chop.
5 sacks spotlight defensive effort for Chiefs
The move rush was in full impact for Kansas Metropolis as six gamers received concerned to tally 5 complete sacks in Chicago this week. A change in defensive identification has been one of many key sticking factors in camp this offseason. If yesterday’s sport was any indication, Kansas Metropolis can be trying to get to the quarterback at each alternative.
Among the many gamers who recorded a sack within the sport was rookie George Karlaftis, who received his sack on a nasty rush that got here in opposition to veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian within the second quarter to drive a protracted fourth down. Granted, any stats amassed within the preseason don’t in the end rely, however Karlaftis’ explosive strikes are purpose to rejoice for Chiefs followers who desperately needed one other defensive stud within the draft.
Justin Reid has a legitimately spectacular kicking leg
After hitting a 60-plus yard discipline objective as a gimmick at follow in St. Joseph, Andy Reid let newly acquired security Justin Reid let unfastened on an additional level kick in opposition to the Bears to nice impact. He nailed it, sending the ball crusing proper down the center to place a cap on what could be Kansas Metropolis’s final scoring drive of the sport.
“Pay attention, it’s laborious. In truth, it’s laborious to discover a backup kicker,” Reid instructed reporters after the sport. “You may’t carry two of them, proper? That’s a troublesome factor to do. So, for him to be a reliable kicker, I believe is a optimistic factor for us. He can growth it now. He had the one muff-up in coaching camp, however he has been fairly good together with his kicks.”
Whether or not this capacity will find yourself being wanted within the common season is uncertain, however Reid’s leg definitely introduced some levity to a matchup that wasn’t probably the most thrilling soccer that can be performed this season. If something occurs to Harrison Butker over the course of the Chiefs’ 17-game schedule, the staff can relaxation assured they’ve a succesful kicker behind him on the depth chart, even when they’d probably signal one other anyway.
Chiefs rookie defenders steal the present regardless of loss
When Kansas Metropolis went all-in on drafting defensive expertise within the offseason, it was a transparent shift in roster building which could have implications for years to return. Each section of their protection received an up-and-coming prospect added to the combo, and this preseason exhibition was proof that their investments will probably repay this 12 months.
From the aforementioned Karlaftis to the sport’s chief in tackles linebacker Leo Chenal, issues are trying up for the unit. The following two preparatory matchups can be an important check of the younger expertise within the secondary, who have been principally untested on this explicit matchup. In the event that they construct on the performances of their teammates this week, Kansas Metropolis could have a terrific shot to develop the subsequent era of defensive expertise in 2022.