Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn’t miss Tyreek Hill at all. In fact, Mahomes didn’t miss much of anything.
Mahomes threw for 360 yards and five touchdowns, powering the Chiefs to a 44-21 win against the Arizona Cardinals in the season opener Sunday in Glendale, Ariz.
“I think guys were just ready to go,” Mahomes said. “They were excited to go out there and show what we had. The whole offseason everybody’s asked us what’s this offense and what’s this team going to look like.
“And we’ve always believed we were going to go out there and put on a show and I thought guys did that. And to go out there and win a game against a really good football team and win decisively, it’s a good start.”
Mahomes completed 30 of 39 passes with no interceptions and no sacks. Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire caught two touchdowns while tight ends Travis Kelce and Jody Fortson each caught at TD pass, and wide receiver Mecole Hardman also had a touchdown catch.
The Chiefs scored on their first two possessions, spreading the ball around with ease. Kelce finished with eight catches for 121 yards while newcomers JuJu Smith-Schuster added six catches for 79 yards and Marquez Valdes-Scantling had four catches for 44 yards.
“I thought they worked well,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “And I thought Patrick had a tremendous game. That’s an incredible night, which means the offensive line played well. Normally when the skill guys play well, those guys play well.”
Mahomes completed passes to nine different receivers, including one to rookie Skyy Moore for 30 yards. Moore also contributed on special teams, returning one kick and four punts. Fellow rookie Isiah Pacheco added 12 carries for 62 yards and one touchdown on the ground.
“I thought they all contributed and did a nice job,” Reid said of the rookie class.
But no one played better than Mahomes, who was at the top of his game once again. In the past five season openers, Mahomes has thrown for at least three touchdowns in the game. In his career, Mahomes now has eight games with five or more touchdown passes. Mahomes also is 5-0 in season openers.
“I think it’s Coach Reid getting more weeks to game plan and that’s always good for me,” Mahomes said. “Because he’s getting guys running wide open. But then it’s training camp. It’s hard for everybody but it prepares you for Week 1. Then you go out there and execute. And Coach Reid has a great gameplan in and gets guys flying around and ready to go.”
