KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes was nearly perfect Friday night, throwing for 117 yards and two scores in his only two chances with the ball and leading the Kansas City Chiefs to a 28-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in their preseason finale.
Mahomes was sharper than he’d been his first two exhibitions, finishing 8 of 9 with the only miss a throwaway with nobody open. Mahomes capped his first series against Minnesota with a 35-yard throw to Tyreek Hill, who’d run right by former Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland, then capped the second with a short TD pass to tight end Blake Bell.
Mahomes’ counterpart, Kirk Cousins, wasn’t nearly as effective for Minnesota. He led the Vikings to a field goal on his first offensive series but went three-and-out on each of the next two, finishing 5 of 7 for 57 yards. Cousins looked out of sync with his receivers and took a big loss on a sack by Anthony Hitchens.
Chiefs backup Chad Henne didn’t play Friday night, so Shane Buechele got plenty of work. The rookie was sharp driving KC for a TD and a 21-3 halftime lead, but Buechele also threw a pick-six to Parry Nickerson in the fourth quarter.
The Vikings’ defense scored two touchdowns during their three preseason losses. Their offense scored only one, a 32-yard scamper by backup running back A.J. Rose Jr. midway through the third quarter Friday night.
Derrick Gore answered with a 56-yard catch-and-run to help Kansas City finish 3-0 in the preseason.
SOME SHOULD QUARANTINE
Unvaccinated Kansas residents who were part of Friday’s crowd at Arrowhead should quarantine.
The Kansas City Star reports that Kansas’ travel rules aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 advise anyone unvaccinated attending mass gatherings to spend seven days in quarantine if they get a negative test result, and 10 days if no test is taken.
Those who have been vaccinated are advised to quarantine if they become symptomatic after traveling.
The game marked the first time Arrowhead Stadium opened to a full crowd since the team raised a Super Bowl LIV banner.
MISSING CHIEFS
Defensive ends Chris Jones (sinus infection) and Frank Clark (hamstring), running backs Clyde Edward-Helaire (ankle) and Darrel Williams (concussion) and defensive back Rashad Fenton (hamstring) did not play for Kansas City.
VIKINGS FOUND
Defensive end Everson Griffen, who signed with Minnesota for the veteran minimum this week, joined the team for its final dress rehearsal. Also on hand was Nate Stanley, despite reports citing anonymous sources that said the backup quarterback did not make the trip because of injury.
HEAT ADVISORY
