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3 Most Disappointing Chiefs From Way-Too-Close Week 1 Win

These three Chiefs didn't have a spectacular first game to open up the 2024 regular season.

By Jovan Alford

Aug 17, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs punter Matt Araiza (49) on the sidelines against the Detroit Lions during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Aug 17, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs punter Matt Araiza (49) on the sidelines against the Detroit Lions during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. / Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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2. Matt Araiza 

The Chiefs signed Araiza in the offseason after Tommy Townsend signed with the Houston Texans in free agency.

As for Araiza, it was his first NFL game after being selected in the sixth round of the 2022 draft by the Buffalo Bills. The former San Diego State star punter didn’t last long with the Bills as he was released in Aug. 2022 due to off-field allegations that he eventually was cleared from.

The 24-year-old punter wasn’t bad in his NFL debut on Thursday night, but he could’ve been better. Araiza had three punts that had an average of 48 yards. However, two of those punts went for touchbacks.

Araiza’s second punt that went for a touchback ended up helping the Ravens put together a scoring drive at the end of the third quarter. Instead of pinning Baltimore in the shadow of its own goalpost, Araiza boomed the kick to the endzone, allowing John Harbaugh's team to start on the 25 instead. Jackson then hit tight end Isaiah Likely for a 49-yard touchdown catch a few plays later.

Meanwhile, Araiza's counterpart on the Ravens (Justin Stout) had two punts, both of which he landed inside the 20 to make things more difficult for Kansas City.

Since this is his first NFL regular season game, we won’t heavily criticize Araiza because he was one of the best punters once upon a time in college. His punt in the fourth quarter also forced the Ravens to go nearly the length of the field. But he needs to be better next week against the Cincinnati Bengals.