Kansas City Chiefs vs Arizona Cardinals Predictions, Odds, Preview 08/20/2021

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Day, Month Date, Year

Venue:  State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Where to Watch:  NFL Network

Chiefs: 1-0  (preseason record)
Cardinals: 1-0 preseason record) 

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds: Chiefs -133, Cardinals: +110; Over/Under:  41.5 runs

Spread: Chiefs -2.5; 

Chiefs:  Evan Baylis (ankle) Questionable

Cardinals: Andy Isabella (Covid-19 protocols) Out

Cardinals:

Kyler Murray QB
Chase Edmonds RB
DeAndre Hopkins WR1
A.J. Green WR2
Christian Kirk WR3
Maxx Williams TE
DJ Humphries LT
Justin Pugh LG
Rodney Hudson C
Justin Murray RG
Kelvin Beachum RT

Chiefs:

Patrick Mahomes QB
Clyde Edwards-Helaire RB
Tyreek Hill WR1
Mecole Hardman WR2
Byron Pringle WR3
Travis Kelce TE
Orlando Brown Jr LT
Joe Thuney LG
Creed Humphrey C
Trey Smith RG
Lucas Niang RT

Chiefs: Andy Reid
Cardinals: Kliff Kingsbury

The Chiefs were 14-2 last season. 1st place AFC West, Lost the Super Bowl to Tampa Bay.

The Cardinals were 8-8 last season.  3rd place NFC West.  They will still have to contend with the Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers in what is shaping up to maybe be the toughest division.

In the 2020 regular season Patrick Mahomes threw for 4,740 passing Yards with a passer rating of 108.2.  C Edwards-Helaire not only has two last names… he also rushed for 803 yards. Travis Kelce led the Chiefs in receiving yards with 1,416 from the tight end spot.  Tyreek Hill is back.  Sammy Watkins moved on.  This is the Chiefs we all know.  Ready for another shot. 

In the 2020 regular season Kyler Murray threw for 3,971 passing yards, 26 TD’s even though it looks like he can’t see past the linemen.  DeAndre Hopkins caught 1,407 receiving yards, 6 TD’s.  They were good not great.  So this offseason they brought in former Bengal AJ Green.  They added JJ Watt on the defensive side of the ball.  They are ready to finally prove Kyler Murray is BIGtime enough.

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Numbskulls in the Arizona local press think it’s time to see Kyler Murray play, they are wrong.  Kyler sat out the preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cardinals got the win.   Coach Kliff Kingsbury can get all he needs out of Kyler in practice.  Playing a Kansas City team that was in the last two Super Bowls is the absolute reason NOT to play your starters for game 2 of the NFL preseason.  The season will be tough enough with an undersized quarterback let alone an undersized quarterback that could take an odd hit in a meaningless preseason game.  I know, I know… fatty in the stands want to see if the starters are ready to get out to a good start this year.  12 snaps in an August  preseason game will not, has not, and never will demonstrate that.  Give the ball to backup QB Colt McCoy and backup backup QB Chris Streveler and ignore anyone who wants to see the starters now.

Patrick Mahomes did play in the preseason opener last week.  One short drive and two pass attempts later Patrick Mahomes stood dutifully on the sideline.  Patrick has had so much regular season success, won a Super Bowl, and lost last year's Super Bowl being down 4 starters on the offensive line… you would think KC would be a bit smarter than to risk him in the first preseason game?  Maybe Andy Reid wanted to see if Mahomes could still handle a snap?  You should expect to see very little if any of the key starters.  A team with enough talent to make the playoffs with their eyes closed should be observing the players who are yet to be cut to make absolutely sure they get the deep bench positions right.

Notable quotes:

"I've dreamed about this since I was a little kid,...Years in the making ... This is just the beginning.'' -Patrick Mahomes about the release of his signature shoe.

“For me, going into every year, I ask myself, ‘How can I be the best me? What can I do to get better?’ ”  - Kyler Murray

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