By Mike Jones via USA Today
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After an unconventional offseason and preseason, the NFL finally returned Thursday night. And although nothing about the stage of the 2020 season opener bore resemblance of normalcy — not the sparsely filled Arrowhead Stadium (limited to 15,895 fans because of coronavirus restrictions), not the NFL-sponsored pre-game messages (in both video form, stadium signage and song) of support for racial equality — from the opening whistle to the last, it was business as usual.
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs’ high-octane offense delivered another signature performance and a 34-20 victory over the Houston Texans. It was another 300-plus-yard day highlighted by frequent displays of wizardry from the NFL’s brightest star.
And Deshaun Watson did his best to carry the Texans but ultimately couldn’t overcome a shoddy offensive line. It didn’t help that Houston’s defense had no answer for Kansas City’s offense. But the Texans looked like a revamping operation, and the Chiefs looked like they’re gearing up for a second straight Lombardi Trophy.
Although difficult to fathom, this Chiefs team actually has the potential to be better than last year’s Super Bowl-winning squad. Mahomes’ arsenal of Sammy Watkins, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce remain as in sync with the quarterback as ever despite the absence of preseason dress rehearsals. But the arrival of rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (the 32nd pick of the 2020 draft out of LSU) has provided an additional lethal element to this offense.
The LSU product dazzled with 25 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown, ensuring great balance for Kansas City’s offense. Explosive and elusive, Edwards-Helaire showed just why many close to the game viewed him as a rookie of the year candidate before he even played his first game. Read more from USA Today.
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