The Kansas City Chiefs are battling back after finding themselves in quite a 22-3 hole in the first quarter of preseason Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns. 

Some choppy play from the first-team offense saw Kansas City fall behind early. Turnovers were the biggest problem, but they eventually settled into the game and got that under control. Somehow they managed to get the game within a one-possession game right before halftime but a late pick-six would quiet the crowd and give the Browns a 29-16 lead. The Chiefs will ball to start the second half of the game, but they're going to need to execute better down the stretch. 

With all of that in mind, here are a few quick takeaways from the first half of play:

QB2 battle doesn't look like much of a battle 

It was a night-and-day performance for Shane Buechele from preseason Week 2 to preseason Week 3. After a perfect game passing going 10-of-10 for 105 yards and a rushing score against the Cardinals, Buechele finished the day 8-of-17, for 89 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions, including a pick-six against the Browns.

Blaine Gabbert has looked much sharper, but he's also not playing against the starters for Cleveland. He threw a late pick-six, but that was off of a deflection that wasn't entirely his fault. So long as he continues to look sharp and doesn't allow any more turnovers, Gabbert should land the No. 2 job with ease. 

La'Mical Perine putting on a show

Perine is one of the only players out there who really looks like he wants to make the 53-man roster. He looked better than Deneric Prince and he frankly looked better than every other running back on the roster today. 

Perine had four attempts for 32 yards on the ground, including a 30-yard scamper which was the longest of the preseason by a Chiefs running back. He was also 3-for-3 receiving for 44 yards and a touchdown on the day. That includes a 20-yard touchdown catch where he broke three tackles en route to the end zone. When guys like Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Isiah Pacheco put up a goose egg on their lone carries, that's a notable performance. 

Largest crowd in Chiefs preseason history

It's quite loud at Arrowhead Stadium, louder than a normal preseason game. 

The NFL Network broadcast said that the team expected Saturday's game to yield the largest preseason crowd in franchise history. You'll remember that after Super Bowl LIV, COVID-19 put a damper on the preseason. This is really the first time the team has made a preseason debut at home after a Super Bowl win. 

You can tell there is a whole lot of excitement for this 2023 Chiefs squad and you can rest assured that Chiefs Kingdom will be out there in force on banner night.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, TE Travis Kelce and others to sit out in preseason Week 3

Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid is taking a cautious approach with some of his star players in preseason Week 3.

Featured image via Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports