Chiefs offense hums at home; Mariota looks sharp
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Aug 21, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) celebrates with quarterback Alex Smith (11) after catching a touchdown pass against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Smith threw for 171 yards and two touchdowns in less than a half, and the Kansas City Chiefs' offense looked the sharpest it has all preseason in a weather-shortened 34-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Friday night.
The game was called with 3 minutes, 50 seconds remaining after thunder rumbled and lightning streaked across the sky. Heavy rains had turned one end zone into a lake.
Smith was 16 of 18 before giving way to third-string quarterback Aaron Murray just before halftime. Murray played the rest of the game for the Chiefs (3-0), throwing for 146 yards with two touchdown passes and an interception as backup Chase Daniel got the night off.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Marcus Mariota got off to a slow start for Tennessee (1-2), misfiring on his first three throws. But the first-round pick out of Oregon was 7 of 8 for 99 yards the rest of the half, and showed the kind of elusiveness that made him such a dangerous run-pass option in college.
"Kansas City has a very good defense, and for us to be able to score points against them, it says a lot about where we have come from," Mariota said. "A lot of it we can still improve."
The third preseason game is typically the dress rehearsal for most teams, but the Chiefs and Titans both played their starters sparingly as they strive to remain healthy.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, who played 10 snaps total the first two preseason games, carried three times for 26 yards and caught two passes for 15 yards. Jeremy Maclin hauled in seven catches for 65 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown grab that made it 7-0.
Travis Kelce also caught a touchdown pass for Kansas City, while All-Pro linebacker Justin Houston had his first sack of the preseason when he tracked down Mariota before halftime.
The Titans, still trying to settle on an offensive line, struggled to move the ball on the ground. Bishop Sankey ran six times for just 17 yards, while former Chiefs wide receiver Dexter McCluster at least managed to move the chains when he got a handful of carries.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Zach Mettenberger, who had played so well for Tennessee that some have wondered whether he'll be traded, took over to start the second half. He was 3 of 11 for 38 yards.
Antonio Andrews had a short touchdown run late in the first half for the Titans.
Titans tight end Delanie Walker made his preseason debut after getting 12 stitches in his left thumb, catching a pass that went nowhere. Nose tackle Sammie Hill (knee surgery), cornerback Jason McCourty (groin) and defensive end DaQuan Jones (bruised leg) remained out, while safety Da'Norris Searcy left with a knee injury in the first half.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Chiefs played without left tackle Eric Fisher (ankle sprain) and right guard Jeff Allen (knee strain), while wide receiver Albert Wilson left early with a shoulder injury.