Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s greatness and other Chiefs lessons from Week 1

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 10: Clyde Edwards-Helaire #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs scores a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the third quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on September 10, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 10: Clyde Edwards-Helaire #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs scores a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the third quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on September 10, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 10: Members of the Kansas City Chiefs take the field with a giant Vince Lombardi trophy at mid field before the start of a game against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium on September 10, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 10: Members of the Kansas City Chiefs take the field with a giant Vince Lombardi trophy at mid field before the start of a game against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium on September 10, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Here are a few lessons we learned about the Chiefs in Week 1.

Football is back. This is not a simulation. We made it.

On Thursday, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of another AFC playoff contender with relative ease as they rolled over the Houston Texans with a final score of 34-20. Here are the lessons we learned about the Chiefs in Week 1.

No preseason, no problem

Right out the gate, the Kansas City Chiefs offense looked like a well-oiled machine. The offense was methodical, relatively mistake-free, and resembled the kind of functionality you’d expect to see in November or December.

Specifically, it’s clear that Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has truly cemented his status as a field general. His unbelievable performances have never been questioned, but now he oozes a kind of pre-snap confidence that reminds one of Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, His command at the line of scrimmage, including pre-snap reads and audibles, showed his maestro-like command of the offense.

The Chiefs receivers ran crisp routes, and save for a couple Demarcus Robinson drops, it was virtually a flawless offensive effort.

This impressiveness translated to the defense, too. The stars were aligned for the Texans receivers to have a big night. Bashaud Breeland is serving a suspension, and rookie L’Jarius Sneed was propelled into a starting role. Impressively, Sneed and the rest of the Chiefs secondary stymied Houston’s aerial attack.

Following the most difficult offseason in recent memory, it appears both sides of the ball are humming, a rarity this early in the season, and a fact that should terrify teams around the league.