KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs scored 31 unanswered points and withstood a late Houston rally for a 34-20 win over the Texans in the NFL season-opener Thursday night.

Houston took a 7-0 lead on a 19-yard run by David Johnson. After that, it was all Chiefs.

Patrick Mahomes, the defending NFL MVP, threw three touchdown passes, two to Sammy Watkins, for Kansas City.

The Chiefs had two 91-yard touchdown drives in the first half in taking a 17-7 lead at the break.

Kansas City rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire made a big first impression, rushing for 138 yards on 25 carries and his first NFL touchdown.

After falling behind 31-7, Houston made a late charge.

Texans’ quarterback Deshaun Watson threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Akins and on the next possession scored on a 1-yard run to trim the lead to 11 with 2:51 remaining.