The first-team offense for the Kansas City Chiefs looked solid once again in Week 2 of NFL preseason action, but the defense struggled at times against the Los Angeles Rams in a 21-20 Kansas City loss.
It was Kansas City's return to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the first time since 1994, and Alex Smith and company got things going early for the Chiefs' offense. On the first play of the game, Smith completed a nine-yard pass to tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce had three receptions in the game for 24 yards, including an eight-yard reception on third and nine at around midfield during the team's first drive.
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Smith hooked up with Jeremy Maclin twice for 28 yards in the first drive, which was capped off by a touchdown run by Spencer Ware from two yards out.
The Chiefs defense, on the other hand, looked less than stellar against a Rams offense that figures to rely heavily on last season's AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, Todd Gurley. On the third play of the Rams drive, Chiefs defensive back Ron Parker was flagged for pass interference on a Case Keenum deep pass on the right side of the field intended for Kenny Britt. Parker was penalized 41 yards.
The penalty put the Rams at the Kansas City 17-yard line. Gurley needed only three more touches to put the ball in the end zone, tying the game at seven.
The Chiefs continued to move the ball on the Rams for the remainder of the first half, building a 20-14 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.
But the Chiefs defense looked vulnerable to the short dump passes from Keenum and first-round draft choice Jared Goff.
Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson noted that the unit struggled on stopping plays before they could be turned into a productive gain for the offense. "Regular plays that are usually two and three yards are going for five and six," Johnson said. "It's on the players, at the end of the day. We've got to stop the run."
Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams showed the blitz occasionally. Chiefs quarterbacks were sacked three times Saturday, Smith twice and Aaron Murray once.
While trailing by one and having possession of the ball with 1:54 remaining in the game in the red zone, Murray fumbled the ball to give the Rams possession. The Chiefs got the ball back once more, but turned the ball over after four straight incompletions by Murray.
The Chiefs have yet to make a decision on who will be the third quarterback on the depth chart for this season. Three quarterbacks have been vying for the third spot: Tyler Bray, Kevin Hogan and Murray. Murray, who completed five passes on nine tries, was the only one of the three to get playing time Saturday. Bray has been battling a shoulder injury.
The Chiefs' offensive unit was the better of the two in regards to third down efficiency. Kansas City converted on third down 46 percent of the time (6-13), while the Rams only converted third down once on six tries.
Backup quarterback Nick Foles was efficient in his time behind center. Foles completed 18 of 22 passes, but only averaged six yards per completion. He threw neither a touchdown nor interception during his time at quarterback.
Maclin had a dust up with Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner with under a minute remaining in the first half. Maclin had gone after the collar of Joyner after a play, to which Joyner took exception to. The Rams cornerback retaliated and both players were ejected. "I don't necessarily agree with what (the refs) did," Maclin said. "But at the end of the day, I can't put myself in that position."
Next up, Kansas City travels to Chicago to take on the Bears this Saturday at noon.
