These teams are not scheduled to meet in the regular season. The Cardinals will face AFC teams from the South while the Chiefs face NFC teams from the East.
Chiefs Offense Looks to Step Up in Week Two
Mahomes played one drive in the opening game and was 1-for-2 passing for four yards in one drive that resulted in a punt. He could get more action on Friday with Andy Reid hinting that the starters will play the first half. Chad Henne completed 6-of-9 passes for 37 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but even his role as backup is lifely solid.
Shane Buechele and Anthony Gordon are battling to make the roster and expect the second half to belong to them on Friday. Gordon was 11-for-17 in the opener for 79 yards, while Buechele was 8-for-11 for 76 yards with a rushing touchdown.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran four times for 16 yards in the opener, while Jerick McKinnon ran three times for 19 yards. Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce each caught one pass as keeping the stars healthy is the only mission in the preseason for the Chiefs offense.
Defensively in the opener, the Chiefs allowed one big play, an 80-yard touchdown pass from rookie Trey Lance of the 49ers. They racked up five sacks and added both a fumble and an interception while holding San Francisco to 16 points.
Cardinals Need to Create Havoc on Defense
Arizona grabbed a game one win at the buzzer with a Matt Prater field goal to beat the Dallas Cowboys 19-16. The Cardinals trailed by three with two minutes left before kicking a field goal, forcing a punt, and kicking another field goal.
Murray sat out the opening game, leaving the Cardinals with a backup competition at quarterback between veteran Colt McCoy and 26-year-old Chris Streveler. McCoy was 6-for-7 for 69 yards, while Streveler was the hero. The former South Dakota signal-caller ran for 55 yards, threw for 107, and engineered the two late drives for Arizona to tie and win the game.
Most of the Cardinals starters rested, and that should change on Friday. DeAndre Hopkins returned to practice Wednesday but isn’t likely to join his teammates on the field Friday night. With the starters sitting last week, Eno Benjamin ran for 50 yards while rookie Rondale Moore led Arizona in receptions with three.
Arizona’s defense held Dallas to 108 rushing yards on 30 carries and recovered a fumble. They didn’t get to the Cowboys’ quarterbacks, though, and will look to pressure the Chiefs signal-callers more on Friday.
Betting Analysis
Kansas City Chiefs -2.5 (-110) spread. -145 moneyline
Arizona Cardinals +2.5 (-110) spread. +125 moneyline
Total 41.5 points. Under -110, Over -110.
If Mahomes, Hill, Kelce, and company really play a full half, look for the Chiefs to build an early lead. Take a strong look at the first half number as well. Both teams scored 19 points in the first game and should look to build on that in the second of their three preseason games.
FREE PICK: Chiefs -2.5 (-110)