The Kansas City Chiefs start the 2022 season on a winning note with a 44-21 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The game provided dominant moments from Patrick Mahomes, solid defensive play and more kicking opportunities for Justin Reid. Each moment on both sides of the ball, with some eye-catching plays, sent social media into a frenzy.
Here are some of the best Twitter reactions from the Week 1 win in Arizona:
Patrick Mahomes connects with Travis Kelce for the first touchdown of the season
The criticism and concern for Kelce entering his age-32 season were quickly forgotten after an opening drive touchdown reception from Patrick Mahomes. The nine-yard loft into the endzone went without a hitch and immediately sparked support for the veteran tight end on Twitter.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are back like they never left🔥.
This duo is going to COOK this season.#NFL | #Chiefs | #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/17nCzeeWb9
— Brandon Carr (@bcarr_13) September 11, 2022
Even in 2022 and without Tyreek Hill, the Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce connection for touchdowns doesn’t get old!!#ChiefsKingdom #Kickoff2022
— Tadi Abedje (@realTadiAbedje) September 11, 2022
Travis Kelce being my TE in fantasy and IRL is truly a glorious thing
— Vinciane Ngomsi (@VincianeNgomsi) September 11, 2022
Mahomes to Kelce for the TD, who’d have guessed. What a way to start the season!!
— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) September 11, 2022
Andy Reid is praised for his play calling following Mahomes’ shovel pass touchdown
The genius of head coach Andy Reid on offense is well-documented throughout his career. He continues to add new fans with every unorthodox moment utilizing his players in the best ways to score points. Mahomes’ underhand pass to Clyde Edwards-Helaire for a touchdown had Twitter giving Reid his flowers.
Hardman in the backfield. Underhand pitch to CEH.
Andy Reid. pic.twitter.com/jQLLFGe1yo
— EDDIE HIGH (@EddieHigh) September 11, 2022
Andy Reid is amazing! His design, play calling and scheming is unmatched. #NFL #Chiefs
— Bernard Pollard Jr (@Crushboy31) September 11, 2022
Andy Reid is in his bag.
— Brandon Kiley (@BKSportsTalk) September 11, 2022
Andy Reid’s red zone Rolodex of play calls pic.twitter.com/CrvQZdkhA1
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 11, 2022
Justin Reid impressed with emergency kicking performance
The Chiefs were serious throughout training camp and preseason that Reid would be considered the emergency kicker. Harrison Butker’s ankle injury in the first quarter pushed Reid into action on point after try and a booming kickoff into the endzone. The unique situation was celebrated on Twitter with great satisfaction.
Justin Reid getting hot, no sign of Butker pic.twitter.com/q97RfwCTMj
— Nathan Williams (@CrownBass5) September 11, 2022
Chiefs safety Justin Reid makes EP after Butker injury! pic.twitter.com/iFmFqi6ZP6
— Starcade Media (@StarcadeMediaKC) September 11, 2022
Justin Reid is a gamer, man. He makes an extra point to give the Chiefs a 14-0 lead.
Reid also kick the ball out of the end zone on the kickoff.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) September 11, 2022
FREAK ATHLETE JUSTIN REID BOMBING BALLS #FORTHEBRAND pic.twitter.com/qQeOO1nCnO
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 11, 2022
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the recipient of two first-half touchdowns
The fantasy owners of Edwards-Helaire were rewarded quickly to start the season as he caught two touchdown passes from Mahomes in the first half. The Chiefs’ starting running back didn’t get a lot of press during the offseason, but he caught the attention of many spectators on Twitter on Sunday.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is BACK IN THE ENDZONE
pic.twitter.com/98qvWiaL2e— NFL Football Everything (@nflfootballeve1) September 11, 2022
Clyde Edwards-Helaire's career highs are six catches and 70 receiving yards in a game. He's got three catches for 32 yards with 7:32 left in the firs half.
His two touchdown catches are a career high, he only had three touchdown catches in his career entering today.
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) September 11, 2022
Clyde Edwards Helaire pic.twitter.com/MpVSSu4Ca6
— iii= (@Brazyisunknown) September 11, 2022
Everyone who passed on Clyde Edwards-Helaire in fantasy watching him score two TD's in the first quarter pic.twitter.com/bnD4U9EiH9
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 11, 2022
Patrick Mahomes is caught on camera counting his touchdown passes
Mahomes tossed five touchdown passes to four different receivers in the Chiefs’ blowout victory, and he wasn’t shy to remind everyone. The former league MVP is shown holding up four fingers and mouthing to someone with the camera pointed squarely in his direction. The gesture may be viewed by many as cocky or arrogant, but most fans on Twitter enjoyed the playful boasting.
Mahomes when counting numbers >>>>>>>>>>>>>> https://t.co/PdkfCXFh1l
— 준 Jun (@Royals_Jun) September 11, 2022
Is Mahomes counting how many more TDs he throws vs Josh Allen? Oh, yes. Yes he is.
— John January (@americopywriter) September 11, 2022
Got to love Romo saying Mahomes counting 4 is “cocky”. GTFOH….all offseason all these analysts said Mahomes couldn’t do it without Hill. Mahomes has every damn right to to talk. #Chiefskingdom @Chiefs
— Jake (@Jakefromthe760) September 11, 2022
PAT COOKING pic.twitter.com/Avpmmt005e
— Dante' Jones (@Dantej21) September 11, 2022
Isiah Pacheco’s first NFL touchdown
The highly praised seventh-round pick in this year’s draft didn’t disappoint in his first regular season game. Pacheco showed impressive runs in the fourth quarter, with 40 yards on the drive capped off by a three-yard touchdown run. Fans on Twitter shared their thoughts on the score.
Isaih Pacheco scored his first career TD. The #Rutgers alum was a 7th round pick, fought his way onto the roster and looks like he’s going to be a big part of the Kansas City offense. pic.twitter.com/OIXKvy4Pf4
— Nick Kosko (@nickkosko59) September 11, 2022
Lil Poppy with a Touchdown. Isiah Pacheco with his 1st Touchdown of his NFL career.
Fitting, #10 scores a TD for the #Chiefs— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) September 11, 2022
I don't care if we're in garbage time now, you can't tell me any RB has looked better than Pacheco today
— 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔻𝕦𝕕𝕖 (@Christraint) September 11, 2022
ISIAH PACHECO IS ELECTRIC‼️#Chiefs | #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/N5YHIiX86o
— Homegrown KC (@homegrown_kc_) September 11, 2022