Arizona's Carson Palmer was flawless in a brief appearance, Kansas City backup Chase Daniel threw for three touchdowns and the Chiefs beat the Cardinals 34-19 in the teams' preseason opener Saturday night.
Palmer, in his first game since tearing an ACL last Nov. 9, was 4 for 4 for 77 yards, directing a seven-play, 80-yard touchdown drive to start the game before sitting down for the night. Palmer threw over the middle to Andre Ellington on a 57-play to highlight the seven-play, 80-yard drive.
Arizona's Tyrann Mathieu intercepted Alex Smith's pass on the Chiefs' first possession to set up a field goal to put Arizona up 10-0. The Kansas City reserves scored the next 31 points.
Daniel was 17 for 29 for 189 yards in two quarters of play.
"It's great to be back and play on this grass again in front of our fans and in our stadium," Palmer said. "It's been a long time coming. It's been a lot of days since I saw this day in the future."
On the big play, Palmer found Ellington through a tight window. Ellington, who nursed a foot injury most of last season and has missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury, scored on a 2-yard riun on third-and-goal.
On Kansas City's first possession, Smith was under pressure when he threw the pass intended for open Jason Avant. The pass was well behind the intended receiver and Mathieu, who was slowed noticeably last season after coming off knee surgery, easily picked it off.
"Luckily, the quarterback threw the ball right to me so I didn't really have to break and get a good route to the receiver," Mathieu said. "He kind of just threw it right to me."
Smith completed 6 of 10 for 42 yards.
Daniel threw TD passes of 13 yards to Fred Williams, 14 to Frankie Hammond Jr. and 3 yards to Da'Ron Brown.
Chandler Catanzaro's 52-yard field goal try early in the fourth quarter was deflected by the outstretched hand of 6-foot-7 rookie David Irving.
Kansas City starting right guard Jeff Allen left the game early with a knee injury.
Arizona rookie Rodney Gunter tackled quarterback Aaron Murray from the blind side for a safety.
The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Arizona Cardinals in week one of the 2015 preseason.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Richard Gordon (89) arrives in Arizona.
Voice of the Kansas City Chiefs Mitch Holthus arrives in Arizona.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Sean Smith (21) arrives in Arizona.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Eric Kush (64) arrives in Arizona. Â
Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West (35) arrives in Arizona.Â
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford (55) arrives in Arizona.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Eric Berry (29) arrives in Arizona.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Steven Nelson (20) arrives in Arizona.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Anthony Sherman (42) along with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) arrive in Arizona.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) arrive in Arizona.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Aaron Murray (7) arrives in Arizona.
The 50 yard line at University of Phoenix Stadium.
University of Phoenix Stadium end zone.
University of Phoenix Stadium.
Game ball sits on the University of Phoenix Stadium field.
Kansas City Chiefs fans made the trek all the way to the University of Phoenix Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Eric Berry (29) hugs his mother after his arrival to the University of Phoenix Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Eric Berry (29) hugs his mother after his arrival to the University of Phoenix Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Eric Berry (29) hugs his mother after his arrival to the University of Phoenix Stadium.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws the ball during pre-game.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West (35) during pre-game.
The Kansas City Chiefs huddle up during pre-game.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Sean Smith (21) takes to the center of the huddle during pre-game.
Kansas City Chiefs huddle up with hands in the middle.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Eric Berry (29) and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston (50) embrace prior to kick off.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) during the National Anthem.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) embraces Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer at cointoss.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Eric Berry (29) shakes hands at the coin toss.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) meets with the cointoss kid.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56)
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston (50) at the line.
The Kansas City Chiefs at the line vs The Arizona Cardinals.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin March (59) celebrates with Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Eric Berry (29).
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) runs up field.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) runs up filed with the ball.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt (2) punts the ball off to Arizona.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) makes a catch.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dezman Moses (54) makes a tackle.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Da'Ron Brown (4) reaches out for the reception.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dezman Moses (54) makes a tackle.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs the ball.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs the ball.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Fred Williams (83) celebrates following a touchdown.
Kansas City Chiefs punter Cairo Santos (5) kicks the ball.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel (10) looks down field for an open reciever.
Kansas City Chiefs fans
Kansas City Chiefs reporter speaks with Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid following the end of the first half.
Kansas City Chiefs reporter speaks with Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Eric Berry (29) following the end of the first half.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Da'Ron Brown (4) celebrates following a touchdown.
A Kansas City Chiefs fan celebrates with the chop following a touchdown.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Ramik Wilson (53) runs for a touchdown.
Kansas City Chiefshuddle up.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Cyrus Gray (32) scores a touchdown.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Cyrus Gray (32) scores a touchdown.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Frank Zombo (51) makes a block.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Frank Zombo (51) makes a block.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Allen Bailey (97) and Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard (96) go over plays on the sideline.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman David Irving (74) makes a play on a kicked ball.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Aaron Murray (7) at the line.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Darrin Reaves (32) runs the ball.
Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff on the sidelines.
Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Zach Fulton (73)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Eric Kush (64)
Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid
Referee Sarah Thomas
Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid talks with Arizona Head Coach Bruce Arians following the Chiefs win.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Adam Drake (14) talks with Arizona Wide Reciever Jaxon Shipley following the end of the game.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Ryan Taylor (82) meets with Arizona's Jonathan Cooper and Kareem Martin following the end of the game.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver L'Damian Washington (1) and Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Mitch Morse (61) meet with Arizona's Markus Golden.
Kansas City Chiefs Reporter BJ Kissel talks with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel (10) following the end of the game.
Kansas City Chiefs head to the locker room following the end of the game.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali (91) signs autographs for chiefs fans following the end of the game.
Young Cardinals and Chiefs fans in the crowd.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Jamell Fleming (30) heads to the locker room.
A young Chiefs fan with a #BerryStrong sign.
"Chiefs fans are loud and proud!"
Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid speaks to the team in the locker room following the Chiefs win over Arizona.
