Kansas City Chiefs vs. Arizona Cardinals: Who has the edge in season opener?
Who has the edge?
We’ll ask that question before every Kansas City Chiefs game, starting with Sunday’s opener in Arizona against the Cardinals. In this case, the game matches former Big 12 gunslinging quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech) and Kyler Murray (Arizona). Oh, and Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury was Mahomes’ coach at Texas Tech.
Give the edge to the Chiefs’ and Cardinals’ offenses in this game.
So, perhaps the game turns on special teams or game-planning. We make the case for both sides here and offer a best bet:
Chiefs offense vs. Cardinals defense
Patrick Mahomes enters his fifth year as a starting quarterback. His 50-13 record as a starter in regular season games gives him the highest winning percentage (.794) among active quarterbacks. What’s new this season is the cast of targets at wide receiver. Out with Tyreek HIll, Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robijnson. In with JuJu Smith-Schulster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore.
Asked what would surprise fans about the Chiefs’ offense this year, Mahomes said he would spread the wealth among wideouts, then apologized to fantasy football owners. Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden, the former Missouri standout who led the team in sacks last season, is a game-time decision while recovering from a toe injury.
Chandler Jones, the franchise’s career sack leader who got to Mahomes twice in 2018, now plays for the Raiders. But J.J. Watt, who missed practice time this week, should be ready to go.
Not until the third preseason game did the Chiefs running game get some footing. There remains a bit of mystery about the group, and how they’ll be used. Clyde Edwards-Helaire leads the pack but Jerick McKinnon, Ronald Jones and Isiah Pacheco seemed to switch easily on the depth chart. The Chiefs offensive line should get some push against a Cardinals defense that finished in the bottom half against the run last season.
Edge: Chiefs
Chiefs defense vs. Cardinals offense
Arizona wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is out, suspended for violating the league’s PED policy. Tight end Zach Ertz and wide receiver Rondale Moore missed practice time with injuries this week but look to get up to speed by game time.
Kyler Murray led Arizona to the playoffs last season and signed a huge extension, a five-year deal for $230.5 million with $160 million guaranteed. He’s capable of matching Mahomes’ output and putting the Cardinals in a position to win. Youth will be served in the Chiefs secondary with rookie Trent McDuffie expected to start and at least two other rookie cornerbacks expected to get playing time.
In his first year with Arizona, running back James Conner rushed for 752 yards and 15 touchdowns and added 37 receptions and three touchdowns. The Chiefs were shaky against the run last season but linebackers Nick Bolton and Willie Gay Jr. excelled in the preseason against the run and pass.
Edge: Cardinals
Special teams
Many new faces on the Chiefs kick/punt coverage and return teams this season. But coordinator Dave Toub will get them up to speed quickly. The Chiefs look to make this the first of two visits to State Farm Stadium this season. That’s where the Super Bowl will be played.
Edge: Chiefs
Why the Chiefs will win
Andy Reid in openers is a winning proposition. In nine Kansas City seasons, he’s won eight of nine, including an NFL-best seven straight. Openers, games off by weeks, any time Reid has additional time to prepare he’s been terrific. It helps to have Mahomes. He’s also been good in openers, 4-0 with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions in four years.
Why the Cardinals will win
Kingsbury would like have bottled up whatever the Cardinals consumed before last season and serve it up now. Arizona jumped from the gate 7-0. Expectations soar for Murray with his new contract, and he’s good enough to deliver. The Cardinals were a playoff team last season and have enough talent to return to postseason in 2022.
Best bet
Chiefs (minus-6)
The line opened at 3 1/2 and has been moving steadily in the Chiefs’ direction.