For the second straight week, the Kansas City Chiefs first-team offense looked pretty good in limited action, but the team ultimately lost under abnormal circumstances.
Here are 10 observations from Saturday night:
- Alex Smith played well, again
This is exactly the kind of performance we wanted to see from Alex Smith.
He completed 9 of 12 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown, including converting 4 of 5 third-down opportunities. That's good enough for a passer rating of 139.9.
Smith helped lead the first-team offense to 2 touchdowns and a 17-14 lead late into the second quarter before he gave way to backup quarterback Nick Foles.
- Smith and second-year receiver Chris Conley find connection
Just last week, second-year receiver Chris Conley talked about the chemistry and trust he's been building with Smith, and Smith also spoke about the development he's seen this year in Conley.
That all manifested itself on the field on Saturday night, when Conley caught 3 passes for 66 yards, all of which came in the first half.
The best connection between the two came on third-and-2 with Smith and the offense driving into Rams territory early in the second quarter.
When Smith got to the line of scrimmage on that third-down play, he thought the defense wasn't prepared for a pass over the top. He audibled out of the play call and Conley was on the same page. The result was a 37-yard gain to set up Jeremy Maclin's 20-yard touchdown reception, which tied the game at 14 at the time.
- Multiple tight end packages displayed early and often
We've spent a lot of time this offseason talking about the multiple tight end packages the Chiefs have at their disposal with the roster as it's currently constructed.
The Chiefs once again showed on Saturday night how dangerous those personnel packages can be this season, and they used a lot of multiple tight end sets early in this game.
Travis Kelce, Demetrius Harris and Ross Travis spent quite a bit of time on the field together in the first half with Smith under center.
This package will continue to create mismatches that are in favor of Smith and the Chiefs.
- First-team defense allows some chunk plays
There were a number of young players on the field for the first-team defense tonight, including rookies D.J. White, Eric Murray, Chris Jones and second-year inside linebacker Justin March.
There's not one NFL regular-season game played between any of those players, who made up more than one-third of the guys on the field at different times early in this game for the Chiefs defense. Jones worked his way in there, while the other three started from the beginning.
The defense allowed five different plays of at least 10 yards in the first half. There were several opportunities with which guys had to make plays in the backfield but weren't quite able to finish.
It's something they'll undoubtedly address heading into next week's game against the Chicago Bears.
- Maclin pulls off a nice double-move, finds the end zone
When someone wants to know what a nice double-move looks like, the 20-yard touchdown reception from Jeremy Maclin in the second quarter would be a good example to use.
After he was done celebrating with his teammates, Maclin wanted the fans to share in the love.
Maclin finished the game with 3 catches for 48 yards before he was ejected late in the first half due to an altercation with a Rams defensive back.
- Dontari Poe hops on fumble
After the Maclin touchdown that tied the game, 14-14, the defense was able to take the ball away from this year's No. 1 overall draft pick, quarterback Jared Goff, on the ensuing possession.
When the ball found its way to the ground, Poe quickly recognized it and secured the ball to give the offense fantastic field position, which led to Cairo Santos' 32-yard field goal midway through the second quarter.
- Nick Foles leads 16-play drive
After taking over for Alex Smith late in the first half, quarterback Nick Foles, who spent all of last season with the Rams and was just released a couple of weeks ago before signing with the Chiefs, orchestrated a 16-play drive that ended with a Cairo Santos 13-yard field goal.
Foles completed 10 of 13 passes for 56 yards on the drive, including a nice fourth-down conversion on a pass to running back Spencer Ware.
Foles showed an ability to throw accurately on the run and handle the offense well enough to manage a 4-minute drive that basically milked the entire clock so that the Rams didn't have an opportunity to respond.
It was a nice display from Foles, which only goes to show his development in this offense after just a couple of weeks.
- Another missed opportunity for a win
Last week against the Seattle Seahawks, it was a Hail Mary. This week, it was a fumble while in scoring position trailing by just one point. The result was the same, and the Chiefs lost two games in abnormal ways to open up the 2016 preseason slate.
With just under 2 minutes to play in the game and facing a second-and-17 from the Rams 18-yard line, quarterback Aaron Murray was unable to hang onto the shotgun pass as it fumbled onto the ground. The ball was secured by the Rams.
At the time, the Chiefs were in field goal position and trailing, 21-20.
With the Chiefs still holding all three of their timeouts, they would get the ball back for one more drive to try and get into field goal range again, but the Murray fourth-down pass intended for Mike Williams fell to the ground and that was it—the Chiefs fell to the Rams, 21-20, for their second straight 1-point loss this preseason.
- Darrin Reaves puts together another nice performance
If there's anything we've learned over the past two years it's that running backs coach Eric Bieniemy will always have his guys ready to play.
That was the case last year with Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware, and that's been the case with Darrin Reaves this preseason.
Last week against the Seahawks, Reaves finished the game with 11 carries for 42 yards, which led the team.
On Saturday night, Reaves finished the game with 6 carries for 32 yards, averaging a team-best 5.3 yards per carry.
Photos from the Chiefs second preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams
A field view of Kansas City Chiefs preseason game against Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) is chased down by Los Angeles Rams defensive back Coty Sensabaugh (21) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) is brought down by Los Angeles Rams safety T.J. McDonald (25) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) changes the play at the line of scrimmage during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) is dragged down by Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson (22) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) scores a touchdown in the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) celebrates a touchdown in the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) is congratulated by tight end Travis Kelce (87) after scoring a touchdown in the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Cairo Santos (5) points to the sky after kicking a field goal in the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs fans watch the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) is wrapped up by Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard (96) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz (71) blocks during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (10) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (81) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard (96) during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running backs coach Eric Bieniemy shows a play diagram during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Benjamin Cunningham (23) is dragged down by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Eric Murray (21) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) carries the ball in the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) makes a catch for a touchdown during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs fans during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Andy Mulumba (40) during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) finds running room during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) hands the ball off to running back Spencer Ware (32) during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs huddle during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Eric Fisher (72) blocks Los Angeles Rams defensive end Matt Longacre (96) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown (39) is brought down by Kansas City Chiefs defensive linemen Jaye Howard (96) and Allen Bailey (97) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown (39) is wrapped up by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Eric Murray (21) and linebacker Dee Ford (55) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Nick Foles (4) drops back to pass during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) makes a cut during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Mitch Morse (61) makes adjustments at the line during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Knile Davis (34) carries the ball during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs fans hold up signs during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Nick Foles (4) at the line of scrimmage during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
A detail shot of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (20) defends Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown (39) is sandwiched between Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones (95) and linebacker Ramik Wilson (53) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown (39) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs linebackers Dadi Nicolas (52) and Ramik Wilson (53) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back D.J. White (24) defends Los Angeles Rams cornerback Troy Hill (32) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard (96) during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Daniel Sorensen (49) brings down Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown (39) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown (39) is brought down by three Kansas City Chiefs defenders during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) smiles on the sideline during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (81) carries the ball during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) avoids Los Angeles Rams defensive back Jordan Lomax (37) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Nick Foles (4) escapes the pressure of Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Dominique Easley (91) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Daniel Munyer (64) during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (81) runs a route during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Demetrius Harris (84) during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Terrence Magee (37) is dragged down by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Terrance Smith (62) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dadi Nicolas (52) gets around Los Angeles Rams guard Garrett Reynolds (71) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end James O'Shaughnessy (80) during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sideline during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (81) catches a ball during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver De'Anthony Thomas (13) stiff arms Los Angeles Rams linebacker Brandon Chubb (53) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (81) runs with the ball during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (81) is tackled by Los Angeles Rams defensive back Mike Jordan (35) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (81) carries the ball during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (14) during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jimmy Staten (94) during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Terrence Magee (37) is wrapped up by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tyrell Adams (44) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Terrence Magee (37) is dragged down by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tyrell Adams (44) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Da'Ron Brown (1) runs past Los Angeles Rams defensive back Jabriel Washington (41) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Darrin Reaves (24) carries the ball during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard (96) and Los Angeles Rams defensive back Marcus Roberson (47) meet on the field after the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back KeiVarae Russell (26) and Los Angeles Rams defensive back Jordan Lomax (37) exchange jerseys after the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) pose for a picture after the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Darreon Herring (49) and Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Reid Fragel (69) pose for a picture after the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard (96) and Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Dominique Easley (91) exchange jerseys after the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin March (59) exchanges jerseys with Los Angeles Rams guard Jamon Brown (68) after the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jimmy Staten (94) and Los Angeles Rams running back Benjamin Cunningham (23) exchange jerseys after the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
- Coach Reid returns to his hometown
It was a homecoming for Andy Reid on Saturday night.
Reid is from Los Angeles and the house he actually grew up in sits less than 10 miles from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. He attended John Marshall High School, whereas the guy on the opposite sideline, Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, actually went to another Los Angeles area high school, Taft, at the same time.
They never played against one another but they did make the LA Times All-Star team the same year.
Before the game, current players from both of the schools were invited onto the field and got to be a part of the pregame festivities and coin toss.
