Alex Smith leads Chiefs to 23-7 victory over Bears

Published: Aug 27, 2016 at 12:11 PM

CHICAGO -- Alex Smith looked sharp in leading three scoring drives in the first half and the Kansas City Chiefs got a 23-7 preseason victory over the Chicago Bears on Saturday.

Smith completed 20 of 30 passes for 181 yards before Nick Foles came in to start the third quarter. The defense strangled Chicago's offense, and the Chiefs (1-2) came away with the win after dropping their first two exhibitions.

Kansas City has one more tuneup against Green Bay before opening against San Diego on Sept. 11. But in what is generally the final dress rehearsal for the starters, the Chiefs dominated.

"I certainly feel like we're ready as far as game speed, as far as getting the trials, getting enough plays," Smith said. "I felt like we got in a lot of different situations - the goal line, short yardage, red zone, got a little two-minute today. That's kind of what you want, I feel like, in the preseason."

Kansas City got two second-quarter field goals from Cairo Santos and a 1-yard touchdown run by Spencer Ware in the closing seconds of the half to take a 13-0 lead. But the score didn't reflect just how lopsided the game was.

The Chiefs outgained the Bears 239-20 in the half, had 16 first downs compared to Chicago's two and dominated time of possession 21:54 to 8:06.

Kansas City had 177 yards passing compared to minus-7 for the Bears through the first two quarters.

Chicago's Jay Cutler had a rough game playing behind a line that was missing star right guard Kyle Long. The three-time Pro Bowl pick injured his shoulder at New England last week, forcing more shuffling for an already thin group.

Cutler played into the third quarter and completed 6 of 15 passes for 45 yards.

Alshon Jeffery had two catches for 18 yards and dropped a wide-open pass in the second quarter that could have led to a big gain. Kevin White had just a 3-yard catch, another quiet performance for the 2015 first-round draft pick.

And quarterback Connor Shaw, vying for a spot behind Cutler and Brian Hoyer, suffered a left leg injury that coach John Fox said was serious.

He was taken from the field on a cart in the closing minutes of the game after Kansas City's Rakeem Nunez-Roches stepped on his leg following a pass to Josh Bellamy. Shaw screamed in agony and players kneeled as he was tended to on the field.

"Our thoughts and our prayers are with him and his family," said Fox, adding Shaw was "off to the hospital."

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