Chiefs suffer second preseason loss on walk-off field goal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Despite some Mahomes Magic and a breakout performance from first round NFL draft pick Xavier Worthy, the Chiefs fell to 0-2 in preseason action on Saturday evening. Detroit's Jake Bates drilled a game-winning, 43-yard field goal as time expired to hand Kansas City a 24-23 loss at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Patrick Mahomes and the first-team offense got to play the first two drives against the Lions, both ending in field goals. Mahomes finished the game 8-for-14 on pass attempts with 93 passing yards, highlighted by a behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce for a first down. After the game, Mahomes admitted that play was completely improvised, saying he made that throw because Kelce actually ran the wrong route.
"It wasn't how it was drawn up, but I always told you all, it has to happen naturally. I can't like force it. I did it, and then, I actually forgot about it. Then, as the game went on, when they asked about it, and I was like, yeah it probably looked pretty cool," Mahomes said during the postgame press conference.
While Mahomes and the first-team offense are still searching for their first touchdown of the new season, one of Kansas City's rookies was able to score the first preseason touchdown of their professional career. Worthy shined in his first NFL game at Arrowhead Stadium, scoring a touchdown while catching three passes for 62 receiving yards. The former Texas talent also tallied one carry for 11 rushing yards.
"It was good to see [Xavier] Worthy get started," Andy Reid said during the postgame press conference. "We had a couple different things in there to try to get him the ball and just to get him started. Last week, he didn't have a chance there."
After Worthy's 22-yard touchdown catch from Carson Wentz gave the Chiefs a 13-0 lead with 1:47 left in the first quarter, Detroit outscored Kansas City 24-10 in the final three quarters against Reid's second- and third-team offensive and defensive units. The Chiefs suffered one turnover midway through the fourth quarter but did win the turnover battle, forcing two fumbles and an interception.
Kansas City only scored one other touchdown after Worthy's first quarter catch in the end zone. Chris Oladokun connected with Cornell Powell for a 64-yard touchdown pass as part of the backup quarterback's 6-for-7, 99-yard performance.
Up next - the Chiefs welcome the Chicago Bears to Arrowhead Stadium for their 2024 preseason finale. Kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 22 at 7:20 p.m.
