The NFL made its much-awaited return last night, as the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs started their quest for a repeat with a matchup against the Houston Texans. It was the first time in history that the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, and WNBA all played on the same day, as the other leagues are still wrapping up their postponed seasons during a time of year they are usually starting training camps. Arrowhead Stadium allowed a moderate number of fans to attend the game, the first time we've really seen significant numbers of spectators in a professional U.S. sport since the pandemic shut down games originally.
It looked like Mahomes and the Chiefs were off an running before anyone really got settled, but their opening touchdown ended up being called back. The Texans actually opened the scoring, with newcomer David Johnson rushing for a touchdown late in the first quarter. It was a strong start for Johnson, who will be under immense pressure after being the main return Houston got when it shipped perennial All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona.
It was all Kansas City for most of the remainder of the game, with Patrick Mahomes looking like the elite quarterback we've come to know over the past few seasons. He threw touchdowns to Travis Kelce and Sammy Watkins before getting his team into field goal range to end the first half. Mahomes would throw one more touchdown to Tyreek Hill early in the fourth quarter to put his team up 31-7, a lead that would hold up despite a late comeback attempt from Deshaun Watson and company. Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire impressed in his NFL debut, logging 138 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. The Chiefs offense will look to stay hot against the division rival Chargers in Week 2.
On the other sideline, Deshaun Watson broke through late in the game to try and catch up, but ultimately the clock was not on his side. He did, however, finish with over 250 passing yards, the most of the two quarterbacks, two total touchdowns (one rushing) and an interception. A healthy Will Fuller looks like he has all the tools necessary to be the new WR1 in Houston, as he caught 8 of 10 targets for 112 yards. It's worth noting, however, that most of these numbers were put up after the game was already out of hand. Houston's offense will look to rebound from a generally lackluster performance in another tough matchup Week 2 against the Ravens.
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