Kansas City opened its 2025 preseason slate with a sharp performance from its core units, even in a loss to Arizona. Patrick Mahomes connected for a red-zone score in the opening sequence, setting a confident tone for the first-team offense in Week 1. Gardner Minshew showed value as a versatile veteran backup, contributing a rushing score and efficient, though limited, passing. The special teams unit produced an early spark when a return fumble was recovered in the red zone, paving the way for a Mahomes-to- Brownlee TD. On defense, Chris Roland-Wallace supplied a fumble recovery and an interception, signaling flexibility in the secondary, while Jaden Hicks grabbed an INT and Janarius Robinson logged the lone sack. Matt Araiza seized the punting duties, delivering volume and placement that should help field position. Bailey Zappe’s night was rough, highlighting the competition for the backup role behind Mahomes.

Arizona opened its preseason with a 20-17 win over Kansas City, and Kyler Murray flashed efficiency in limited work while paying a costly red-zone interception he attributed to underthrowing the ball. Jaden Hicks baited the throw, highlighting how the Chiefs’ defenders are already sniffing out Murray’s attempts. The offense moved the ball well, spreading targets to five different receivers, but the squad still left drives unfinished. The Cardinals will practice this week and prep for a joint session with Denver, leaving fantasy managers tuning in to which pass-catchers emerge as Week 1 bets.

Even if Murray’s snap count stays light, the offense showed life and a willingness to take shots. If he can translate the practice speed to game tempo, Arizona’s air attack could offer multiple weekly streaming options, with Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr. signaling potential central roles. The takeaway for fantasy: monitor how quickly timing, decision-making, and red-zone execution improve as joint practices approach, since that’s where scoring opportunities will be created.

In sum, Murray’s upside remains intact despite the miscue, and the Cardinals’ pass-catch corps flashed depth. The next step is translating the live reps into cleaner drives and red-zone efficiency, which could unlock a more dynamic offense come regular-season time. Keep an eye on Harrison Jr. and McBride and how the team uses them in high-leverage downs.

Kansas City opened Week 1 of the 2025 NFL preseason with a 20-17 loss at State Farm Stadium as the Cardinals stayed within striking distance behind a shaky night from KC’s depth. Patrick Mahomes connected on an early TD pass to cushion a backup-heavy drive, but a string of turnovers by third-string Bailey Zappe and untimely penalties derailed late Chiefs possessions. KC’s defense produced a spark, as Chris Roland-Wallace and Jaden Hicks intercepted passes, while Janarius Robinson logged the lone sack and Jack Cochrane forced a fumble on the opening kickoff. This outing underscores depth-chart questions for fantasy managers: the Chiefs’ backups aren’t set yet, and Week 1 regular-season workload for the starters could influence lineup decisions.

Arizona’s defense held firm enough to keep the game tight, and the Cardinals’ late stops left KC with a reminder that preseason results don’t count toward the regular season record. For fantasy players, the takeaway centers on how KC manages its QB room and which depth options emerge as viable stashes. The contest also highlighted immediate IDP opportunities for KC’s second unit, with interceptions and a sack from role players signaling potential early-season value if injuries or rotations create opportunities.

Arizona Cardinal starters produced a potent glimpse of their potential, posting elite first-team rhythm with 7.1 yards per play as Jacoby Brissett steered two scoring drives. Yet Kyler Murray’s troubling ball protection re-emerged with an early interception that underscored the need for safer escapes and better decision-making as the season nears. The Cardinals showcased depth along the line and at wideout, highlighted by strong performances from Emari Demercado and Xavier Weaver, who flashed in the roster battle. Special teams hiccups—fumbles, muffed returns, and a rough start on the opening kickoff—remain a concern even in a win. On defense, Dante Stills and the retooled front offered promising depth, while youngsters like Will Johnson, Max Melton, Xavier Weaver, and Elijah Jones pressed for snaps, tempering the offseason hype with real-world results. The Chiefs came up short offensively, allowing Arizona to squeeze out a 20-17 win before the teams meet again next week. The Cardinals head to Denver riding both optimism and reminders of the discipline still required to turn preseason momentum into regular-season reliability.

Kansas City opened the NFL preseason with an early edge over Arizona, sparked by Jaden Hicks’s interception on Kyler Murray during KC’s first defensive stand. The Chiefs capitalized after a Cardinals fumble on the opening kickoff, and Patrick Mahomes guided a quick scoring drive to extend the lead. Hicks, a 2nd-year DB, grabbed the spotlight as he steps into a larger role with Justin Reid having departed in free agency.

With Reid out of the lineup, Hicks is positioned to be a meaningful contributor for Kansas City’s defense this season. If his standout preseason showings continue, Hicks could move from depth piece to a regular in the Chiefs’ back end, boosting KC’s fantasy appeal from a defensive unit to monitor to one worth rostering in deeper formats. The Chiefs posted a clip of Hicks’s pick on their official Twitter account, underscoring the moment as a potential sign of things to come for KC’s defense.

Kansas City’s two-touchdown sequence—thanks to Mahomes’s command after the turnover—set an aggressive tone for the defense’s improvement this summer. If Hicks maintains this level of play, fantasy managers may want to watch his snap counts and role evolution as the preseason unfolds, since a breakout could align with KC’s championship window.