But it looked like the same old, same old when both those scores were field goals.

After getting a surprising 14 first-half points in just the first half of the preseason opening win in Chicago, the Chiefs reverted to their offensively impotent form in their preseason home opener. They got just three field goals in the game's first 59:45 in falling to Arizona, 27-17.

For the second consecutive week, Brodie Croyle led a first possession scoring march -- this one an abbreviated 46-yard drive set up when Arizona's opening kickoff went out of bounds. He hit five of seven passes in the drive, but for only 26 yards. Nick Novak had to kick a 32-yard field goal.

Kansas City then went three-and-out on its next two possessions before reserve Tyler Thigpen engineered a 53-yard drive that advanced to the 6 before Tony Gonzalez, one of the most mugged players in football, was called for offensive pass interference. Rookie Connor Barth had to convert from 35.

The offensive inconsistency is exactly what Croyle had hoped to avoid in the second preseason game.

"It was good to come out two weeks in a row and get a sustained drive and some third-down conversions," said Croyle, whose accuracy fell off after his first series to only seven of 13 for 38 yards. "But we want touchdowns; we don't want field goals.

"We've got to eliminate the three-and-outs. We can't go on a long drive, then get two three-and-outs and go on another 10-play drive. If we can go back out there and get a four-, five- or six-play drive, at least it gives our defense a little rest."

The game best served as a test for Kansas City's young defenders, though.

Needing to get ready for Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney and New England's passing attack in the Sept. 7 opener at Foxboro, Chiefs rookie corners Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr got a baptism by fire in the preseason game against Arizona Pro Bowl wideouts Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

Working mainly against Flowers, Kansas City's projected starting right corner, Fitzgerald caught four passes for 46 yards in the three series he played.

He burned the rookie for 22 yards on a deep post, won a third-and-11 play with a 12-yard conversion, then slipped a Flowers tackle on a quick out to turn a short pass into a 9-yard gain.

"We knew they were going to go deep on him," said coach Herm Edwards. "We told him, Every time they line up, they're going to throw the ball at you.'

"But I thought he did good. He was on a pretty good receiver -- two Pro Bowls guys, actually. It wasn't too big for him. They got some passes, but it didn't faze the guy."

Indeed, Flowers also had his moments, enough so to emerge from the game with his confidence intact.

On Arizona's first play from scrimmage, Kurt Warner threw a deep bomb for Boldin, who had a step on Flowers. But Flowers closed the distance and knocked the ball loose, winning the individual battle.

"I knew when I was the only rookie in the (starting) secondary against two Pro Bowl receivers that they'd test me all night," Flowers said. "That was exciting. I love facing a challenge, and playing Boldin and Fitzgerald, you don't get many bigger challenges than that."

CAMP CALENDAR: After breaking their three-week Wisconsin training camp last Friday, the Chiefs will finish preseason work at their regular-season practice facility outside of Arrowhead Stadium.