The Chiefs got precisely what they wanted from their final preseason game, except the final score.
With starters getting their most extensive playing time, the Chiefs put up scores on all three drives led by Patrick Mahomes.
A Chris Jones-led defense held the Chicago Bears to a field goal in three possessions before yielding a touchdown late in the first half against a blend of first- and second-team players.
Andy Reid switched his playing time approach this preseason, starting backup quarterback Gardner Minshew in the second game, last weekend at Seattle, and playing Mahomes, Travis Kelce and other starters through most of the first half in the team’s only prep game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs responded with their best effort in August, despite losing 29-27 as the Bears scored 19 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, including the game-winning touchdown with three seconds left. First- and second-team players were long gone by then.
Isiah Pacheco capped the first drive with a 2-yard plunge into the end zone. The second drive stalled and ended with a Harrison Butker field goal.
Late in the second quarter, Mahomes finished an 81-yard drive with a 4-yard back shoulder touchdown pass to Rashee Rice.
The game’s highlight: a 58-yard over-the-top completion from Mahomes to Tyquan Thornton.
The KC offensive line had no issues protecting Mahomes, who passed for 143 yards on his three drives, and led the way for Pacheco. He averaged 7 yards on his three carries.
With both sides playing their starters, the Chiefs’ defense corralled a Bears team that defeated the Buffalo Bills 38-0 in its previous game. This time, Chicago punted away its first two possessions before quarterback Caleb Williams put together a drive that resulted in a field goal.
Rookie running back Brashard Smith saw plenty of early action, and made a 12-yard reception after a drop that would have resulted in a big play. He got snaps at running back before veterans Elijah Mitchell, who scored a touchdown, and Carson Steele.
Cornerback Kristian Fulton, who spent his first five NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans and Chargers, saw his first action of the preseason. He had been dealing with a knee injury and started training camp on the PUP list. Fulton played into the second half and recorded a tackle for loss in the third quarter.
Before the opener, all NFL teams will reduce their rosters to 53 players by Tuesday afternoon. The Chiefs made a roster move earlier in the week, trading wide receiver Skyy Moore to the San Francisco 49ers.