THEY MADE IT!
MANY WONDERED IF THE NFL WOULD ACTUALLY GET THIS FAR. OPENING NIGHT. REAL GAMES. A SEASON. WELL, IT DID. EXHIBIT ONE: CHIEFS VS. TEXANS THURSDAY NIGHT AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM IN KANSAS CITY, MO.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Just about the only thing that looked familiar about the NFL’s long- awaited return Thursday night was the sight of Patrick Mahomes effortlessly leading the Kansas City Chiefs up and down the field.
The Super Bowl MVP thew for 211 yards and three touchdowns, Clyde Edwards- Helaire ran through the rain for 138 yards and another score, and the Chiefs began defense of their first championship in 50 years by beating the Houston Texans 34- 20 on Thursday night before a socially distanced crowd of about 17,000 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Travis Kelce, Sammy Watkins and Tyreek Hill each caught TD passes for the Chiefs. They have won 10 straight dating to last season. That run includes a come- from- behind 51- 31 victory over the Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The Texans’ Deshaun Watson threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score, but he also was under relentless pressure and was intercepted once. David Johnson provided the biggest bright spot for Houston, running for 77 yards and a score.
49ers
Sunday’s 49ers season opener is not expected to get relocated or rescheduled due to the Bay Area’s smokechoked skies. That assumes the air- quality index does not breach 200, as outlined by the NFL’s Football Operations department. Thursday’s AQI checked in at 76 ( moderate), and that is similar to Wednesday’s reading when the 49ers practiced under orange- tinted skies caused by the west’s widespread wildfires.
The 49ers, NFL and local authorities will continue to monitor conditions leading up to Sunday’s kickoff against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium.
Titans
Jadeveon Clowney says his choice to join Tennessee came down to the chance to reunite with coach Mike Vrabel. They had success when both were together in Houston.
The defensive end became a free agent in March. He agreed to a one- year deal with the Titans last weekend. Clowney can earn up to $ 15 million this season if he meets some of the incentives in his deal.