Thrilling Preseason Finale: Mahomes Sparks Chiefs Offense as Bears Rally for 29-27 Victory

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs showcased their skills in their preseason finale against the Chicago Bears, even though the game ended in a 29-27 loss for the Chiefs.

Mahomes completed 8 of 13 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. He could have had another touchdown if running back Kareem Hunt hadn’t dropped an easy pass in the end zone. Isiah Pacheco scored on a run, and Rashee Rice caught a touchdown pass as the Chiefs built a strong 20-3 lead before most starters took the bench.

“Getting real reps at Arrowhead was exciting,” Mahomes said. “It shows all the hard work we put into training camp is paying off. We’re moving in the right direction.”

After struggling in previous games against Arizona and Seattle, the Chiefs looked sharper against the Bears, who had recently beaten the Bills 38-0.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid praised his team’s performance but emphasized the need for improvement. “We need to finish better,” he noted. “But overall, it was a solid start.”

On the other side, the Bears faced challenges early in the game. Quarterback Caleb Williams managed to hit Rome Odunze for a late touchdown, bringing the score to 20-10 by halftime, but he didn’t play long—finishing 11 of 15 for 113 yards.

Bears coach Ben Johnson expressed disappointment in his starters’ performance, saying they started sluggishly on both offense and defense. “That slow start is disappointing,” he added.

Things changed with backup quarterback Tyson Bagent in the second half. Recently signed to a two-year deal, he went viral for getting emotional about his new opportunity. Bagent completed 20 of 28 passes for 212 yards and three touchdown passes, including the game-winner to Jahdae Walker with just 3 seconds left.

The Bears have been dealing with injuries in their backfield, making their offensive struggles more pronounced. DeAndre Swift managed seven carries for 28 yards but could not find much space against the Chiefs’ defense.

Special Teams Trouble

Bears kicker Cairo Santos had a rough night, hitting a 47-yard field goal attempt off the upright and getting a PAT blocked.

Unexpected Measurements

During an important moment in the game, a virtual measurement failed due to a system outage. The officials had to use the old-school chain method to measure, confirming the Bears were indeed short of a first down.

Injury Updates

The Bears will be without defensive end Austin Booker for a few weeks due to a knee injury. Linebacker Noah Sewell also had a scare but managed to return to the game. On the Chiefs’ end, a few players, including WR Jaylen Royals and CB Nazeeh Johnson, sat out due to injuries.

Looking Ahead

As the regular season approaches, both teams are gearing up for their openers. The Bears will host the Vikings on September 8, while the Chiefs are set to face the Chargers in Brazil on September 5.

The NFL is seeing a surge in popularity globally, and international games like the one in Brazil reflect this expanding fanbase. According to recent surveys, 40% of fans view the league as more accessible due to these global games, bringing excitement to locations outside the U.S.

For more on NFL updates, you can visit the AP NFL Hub.

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