Chiefs vs. Cardinals Odds: NFL Week 2 Preseason Picks & Predictions
Nick Galaida previews the Week 2 preseason matchup between the Cardinals and Chiefs. Follow along as he breaks down the odds and gives a free pick for Friday night. Don’t forget, online sports betting in Arizona will be live in a matter of weeks! Check back for news and tips as things kick off in the desert.
Chiefs vs. Cardinals Odds
| Chiefs Odds | -140 |
| Cardinals Odds | +120 |
| Over/Under | 41 |
| Date | Friday, Aug. 20 |
| Time | 8:00 pm ET |
| TV | ESPN |
| Odds accurate as of Thursday at Caesars | |
| Click Here to Claim Your $5,000 Risk-Free Bet at Caesars Sportsbook! | |
On Friday evening, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Arizona Cardinals will each play their second game of the preseason. Oddsmakers have priced the Chiefs as slight favorites for this contest, but let’s take a closer look at who is expected to play in this matchup, and where bettors can find value.
Kansas City Chiefs
In Week 1 of the preseason, Kansas City defeated the San Francisco 49ers 19-16. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw only two passes in that game, but is likely to get quite a few more reps against the Cardinals. When asked earlier this week, Head Coach Andy Reid explained that he expects his starters to play the entire first half on Friday, with the second and third teams getting reps in the second half of the game. Bettors should expect the majority of Kansas City’s top players to be active and to play a key role in the first half of action on Friday.
The Chiefs are relatively healthy entering the second week of the preseason. They seem ready to use this game against Arizona as their regular season dress-rehearsal, which should lead to an open playbook and quite a bit of offensive fireworks while the starters remain on the field. This is especially true, considering that Arizona is dealing with quite a few injuries heading into this contest.
Arizona Cardinals
On Friday, Arizona will be without their two best pass rushers. Newly-signed J.J. Watt is dealing with a hamstring injury. Chandler Jones suffered an injury at practice earlier this week and will also be unavailable for this contest. Linebacker Markus Golden is also listed as a game-time decision, and it would be surprising if the Cardinals choose to risk further injury with him. On offense, DeAndre Hopkins returned to practice on Wednesday, but Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury does not expect him to suit up against the Chiefs. KeeSean Johnson and Antonie Wesley are candidates for extra reps with Hopkins not on the field.
Kingsbury made no promises that he will play any of his starters for an extended period of time, despite the fact that Kansas City will give Mahomes and company a full half of action. Last week, Kyler Murray did not take a single snap, and many of Arizona’s other starters either sat or saw very limited playing time as well. If Murray sees limited action against Kansas City, the snaps under center will be split between Chris Streveler and Colt McCoy. Streveler and McCoy combined to complete 18 of their 31 passes last week for 157 yards. They are not starting quarterback material, but these two signal callers are more than capable of putting at least a few points on the board in relief of Murray.
Chiefs vs. Cardinals Betting Pick
When the lines opened for this game, the public perception was that Arizona might be more willing to get their starters extended reps against a Kansas City team that has been to consecutive Super Bowls and does not really need intense preseason competition to get ready for the regular season. However, Reid’s public comments over the last few days indicate that the Chiefs plan to air-out the offense and get the team some live-game action ahead on Friday.
Arizona should have Murray under center for at least the first quarter, but Kingsbury remains coy about how long he will be on the field. The market price on the total in this affair has shot up to 41 after opening at 37—and for good reason. Bettors should expect these two teams to come out aggressive in this one.
The over has some value here, but as is always the case in the NFL preseason—game plans can change without notice and the head coaches might simply decide to run the ball into the line in the fourth quarter in an effort to get out of the game healthy. Proceed with caution here, but a small wager on the over makes sense with these two dynamic offenses and quite a few missing players on defense for Arizona.
PICK: Over 41 (-110)
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