NFL Preseason Week 1 Preview: Chiefs-Cardinals
The anticipation for real football is on the horizon with the first week of preseason starting this week. The result of preseason games is not the focal point of keeping tabs on teams during this process. Instead, what is essential is the performance from specific players throughout their brief time on the field. That holds for every team in the league, and coaches must identify players who can potentially make a significant impact on the field in the regular season and beyond.
That being said, let’s take a look at the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Arizona Cardinals matchup on Saturday.
It is a Super Bowl or bust for the Chiefs every year that Patrick Mahomes is the starting quarterback. This year is as important as any in Kansas City, as the Chiefs are entering potentially the toughest challenge with their divisional opponents vastly improving.
As stated, the focus point for Kansas City is not necessarily laying everything on the line to win these games during the preseason. Like every team, the Chiefs aim to build rhythm and cohesion on both sides of the ball while paying attention to several players.
Left tackle has been a revolving door for the Chiefs the last three seasons, especially last year when Kansas City had three different players block Mahomes’ blindside. It seems that may no longer be a weakness for the Chiefs, as rookie tackle Josh Simmons has quickly established himself as the team’s starting left tackle in training camp. The Ohio State product slipped to the end of the first round after suffering a torn patellar tendon early last season. If it were not for concerns rising from executives, Simmons would have most likely been selected within the top 12-15 picks. Instead, the Chiefs land arguably the best offensive lineman in the entire draft class. There has been overwhelmingly positive news around Simmons throughout training camp. Still, Saturday will provide an opportunity for Kansas City’s coaching staff to have their beliefs validated outside of practice situations.
Chris Jones has been the cornerstone of the defensive line, but he has never had a running mate in the interior who can create opportunities. Omarr Norman-Lott has the potential to be a dominant force alongside Jones, which could accelerate Norman-Lott’s development.
In addition to those two players, the performance from the offensive side of the ball will be the popular topic of discussion during these exhibition games. Despite reaching the last three Super Bowls and winning two Lombardi Trophies in that span, there has been doubt and skepticism about Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense. It will be an opportunity for the offensive personnel to show what it can look like when most of the pieces are at Mahomes’ disposal. Marquise Brown will most likely be out due to an ankle injury he suffered last week in practice. However, Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy should play a series or two with the starters.
Preseason has become somewhat of a non-factor for multiple teams across the league, who avoid playing starters, eliminating any chances of key players suffering long-term injuries in 'meaningless' games. Andy Reid does not operate under that mindset, and is one of the few veteran coaches who has his starters play multiple series.
People may think it is not worth the risk, especially with proven, monumental players. Unlike multiple teams in the league, the Chiefs come out of the gates in the regular season in rhythm.