KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs raised eyebrows during the NFL Draft when they used their first-round pick on Clyde Edwards-Helaire, adding another potent weapon to their dynamic offense rather than filling a pressing need on defense.

Turns out that decision was downright brilliant.

With starter Damien Williams opting out because of the coronavirus pandemic, Edwards-Helaire shouldered a massive load with aplomb Thursday night. The slippery, pint-sized running back out of LSU carried 25 times for 138 yards with a touchdown in helping the Chiefs to a 34-20 victory over the Houston Texans in the opening game of the season.

“When we first ran out, just nerves at an all-time high,” Edwards-Helaire said, “but then, you know, as time went on, we were just kind of on the field, my brothers, and they made me feel at home. Ultimately, the first carry, yeah, I kind of felt a lot of emotions. After I got tackled the first time, I got rolled up, I just knew it’s football. Time to roll.”

Roll he did. And so did the rest of the Super Bowl champions.

After spotting the Texans a touchdown lead, the Chiefs scored 31 straight points. They scored on each of their possessions in the second quarter, then added a touchdown to start the second half, burying the Texans — just as they did when the teams met in the divisional round of the playoffs in January.

The only real difference was Edwards-Helaire — rather than Williams — was the one getting the carries.

“I mean, he’s been doing it since the day he got here,” said quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who threw three touchdown passes. “He’s going to keep getting better. It’s another weapon that I kind of have in this offense, and we’re going to keep doing whatever we can to keep moving the ball and scoring touchdowns.”

The Chiefs had a need at cornerback in the draft, and that became even more pressing Thursday night. Bashaud Breeland already was serving the first game of a four-game suspension, and fellow starter Charvarius Ward left with a hand fracture that left the team perilously thin in the defensive backfield.

Then again, Edwards-Helaire and the Chiefs’ offense might be able to outscore anybody.

“This is a group that’s been together for a while now,” tight end Travis Kelce said. “We know especially on the offensive side the intentions of the play caller. That’s the biggest thing, knowing what coach (Andy) Reid and coach (Eric) Bieniemy are dialing up for us. You saw that today. It felt like we were in sync almost the whole game.”

L’Jarius Sneed made sure Edwards-Helaire wasn’t the only rookie with a starring role. The young cornerback was solid in coverage and picked off a jump ball thrown by Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, and his all-around performance should give the Chiefs a bit of confidence as they look toward a future without their top two cornerbacks.

The Chiefs ran their winning streak to 10 games, including their Super Bowl triumph in February. Another win would match the franchise record for consecutive wins set during the 2015-16 season.

By playing in the NFL’s opener, the Chiefs get a few extra days of rest before visiting the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 20.

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