DeAnthony Thomas caps off his 80 yard punt return for a touchdown in the Chiefs win on Thursday night. (photo/NFL)

DeAnthony Thomas caps off his 80 yard punt return for a touchdown in the Chiefs win on Thursday night. (photo/NFL)

Sean Smith and Malcolm Bronson returned interceptions for scores, and rookie De’Anthony Thomas ran back a punt 80 yards for another touchdown as the Chiefs beat the Cincinnati Bengals 41-39 in their preseason opener Thursday night.  Chase Daniel, fighting for the number two quarterback spot behind Alex Smith was 8 of 10 with a pick and a 69 yard touchdown pass.

Daniel looked good in the two minute drill.  After Cincinnati scored to take a 24-20 lead, Daniel converted on a 3rd and 9 pass giving the Chiefs the ball at their own 31 with :36 left in the half.  Daniel missed deep down the right side, but came back with a deep connection over the middle to Travis Kelce to give the Chiefs a 27-20 halftime lead.

Earlier in the first half, DeAnthony Thomas showed why he can make an immediate impact on special team and why ST coach Dave Toub was accurate in calling Thomas the next Devin Hester.  Thomas took a punt at his own 20 and bounced off a Cincinnati defender before streaking to his right and finding daylight down the right sideline.

Alex Smith struggled along with the rest of the Chiefs’ first-team offense. They went three-and-out on their opening series, and Smith was sacked and lost the football on their next possession to set up  Jason Campbell’s short TD toss to Brandon Tate, giving the Bengals an early 10-0 lead.