With Arizona Cardinals visiting, Chiefs must guard against looking ahead

Dating to their St. Louis days, the Arizona Cardinals have never won at Arrowhead Stadium and the Chiefs are a 17-point favorite to extend that fortune on Sunday.

Kickoff: noon, Arrowhead Stadium

TV/Radio: CBS (Ch. 5), KCFX (101.1 FM)

Line: Chiefs by 17

Blair Kerkhoff’s prediction: Chiefs 38-17

The attention-to-detail and look-ahead factors are in play for the Chiefs (8-1), who meet the Cardinals (2-6) before taking on the high-flying Rams in Mexico City the following Monday. The strength vs. strength matchup Sunday is the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs offense against the Cardinals’ defense, which ranks in the top 10 in pass defense and sacks. For the second straight week, the Chiefs meet a team with a rookie quarterback and one that changed its offensive coordinators during the season. Last week, the Chiefs confronted the Browns and Baker Mayfield. Sunday, Byron Leftwich oversees the Cards’ offense led by quarterback Josh Rosen. The Chiefs’ defense has steadily improved this season: Don’t be surprised to see outside linebacker Justin Houston and safety Daniel Sorensen return from injuries. For Sorensen, the game would mark his season debut. The Chiefs seemingly have all the advantages in this one.

Blair Kerkhoff

Blair Kerkhoff covers the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals and college sports for The Star.