Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes defeat Houston Texans

That was the first show of force:

Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs started the new season with a clear success in the opening game of the National Football League (NFL). (Here for the 2020/21 NFL schedule).

The team around star quarterback Patrick Mahomes defeated the Houston Texans 34:20. Mahomes, who signed a record ten-year $ 450 million deal last summer, was the standout player with three touchdown passes.

Notable: Mahomes is the NFL’s first quarterback to play three touchdowns without interception in three consecutive season opener games.

Mahomes and rookie Edwards-Helaire shine

Rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire also made a strong debut. The running back ran for 138 yards and a touchdown on 25 runs. “He’s another weapon I have on this offensive,” said Mahomes after the 21-year-old’s first NFL game.

The first touchdown of the season, however, was due to Houston’s debutant: David Johnson used Deshaun Watson’s second drive of his own.

But then the great Mahomes show began, which seamlessly continued the previous season and the ball loudly Next Gen Stats threw on average within 2.35 seconds – the fastest value of his career.

4.7 air yards per pass also meant the second lowest value for Mahomes to date.

Actions against racism – with boos

The result: The Chiefs ‘dominance grew against the Texans, who were disappointing, especially on the offensive, with whom Bill O’ Brien disappointed, and Will Fuller recorded 112 receiving yards.

By the start of the final quarter, Houston had 31 points in a row.

Bill O’Brien did not want to exaggerate the defeat. “We have to improve quickly. But it’s just a game,” said the Texans head coach.

On the other hand, Andy Reid was much more satisfied with his team. “We did a lot of things well for it being the first game. There were some great individual performances,” said the Chiefs’ head coach.

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Actions against racism had taken place before the game. The Texans stayed in their cabin during the national anthem and while playing the song “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” which is considered the national anthem of blacks.

The Chiefs retired to the cabin again after they had initially positioned themselves on the sidelines during the national anthem. During a minute of silence, individual boos could be heard from the stands.

16,000 spectators in the arena

The game was the first since Corona began in one of the major professional leagues in North America that was played in front of an audience. At Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, about 16,000 of the 76,500 seats were occupied.

Due to the pandemic, strict rules apply to the teams in training and match operations in the upcoming season. Among other things, the players are tested daily – except on match days.

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