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Chiefs top Bengals in high-scoring affair

Aug 8, 2014 - 3:42 AM Kansas City, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - De'Anthony Thomas had an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown and Sean Smith returned an interception 36 yards for a score as the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 41-39, in the preseason opener for both teams on Thursday.

Alex Smith played three series, going 3-of-5 for 19 yards, while Jamaal Charles carried the ball three times for 12 yards and added two receptions for nine yards for Kansas City, which went 11-5 and made the playoffs in its first year under head coach Andy Reid in 2013.

Travis Kelce hauled in a 69-yard TD pass from Chase Daniel, who was 8-of-10 for 126 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the triumph.

Fresh off his new six-year, $96 million deal, Andy Dalton went 3-of-5 for 71 yards. A.J. Green caught two of his three completions for 62 yards, including a 53-yard reception for the Bengals, who won the AFC North with a 10-6 record last season but fell in the Wild Card round for a third consecutive year.

Dane Sanzenbacher had two receptions for 46 yards and a score, while free- agent running back acquisition Ben Tate registered a 9-yard TD catch. Jason Campbell was 6-of-15 for 72 yards with a pair of TD passes and interceptions in defeat.

Mike Nugent kicked a 30-yard field goal on the Bengals' opening series and Tate brought in his 9-yard TD reception from Campbell on Cincy's second touch.

Kansas City responded with the final 17 points of the first quarter. Ryan Succop booted through a 27-yard field goal, while Thomas and Smith tallied their touchdowns, respectively, to give the Chiefs a 17-10 advantage.

Dre Kirkpatrick's 40-yard interception return for a score and Sanzenbacher's 26-yard TD reception, sandwiched around a Cairo Santos 28-yard field goal, staked Cincy to a 24-20 lead.

Kelce's 69-yard TD catch gave KC a 27-24 edge heading into the break and the Chiefs' Malcolm Bronson returned an interception 51 yards for a touchdown for the lone score of the third.

Cincy's James Wright had a 9-yard TD reception, KC's Cyrus Gray ran for a 2- yard score and Conner Vernon posted a 12-yard TD catch in the fourth to cap the scoring.