The Kansas City Chiefs’ special teams unit was on a roll against the Cincinnati Bengals to start their 2014 preseason on a good note. On the other hand, the Carolina Panthers struggled against the Buffalo Bills.
To know more on what to watch out for the two teams’ preseason games, check out our 2014 previews for the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs or check out our full breakdown of the best stories going into Week 2 of the NFL preseason. In the meantime, keep your eyes glued here as Carolina and Kansas City contest which side has the tighter defense coming into the regular season.
[sc:Football ]Kansas City Chiefs vs. Carolina Panthers Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Carolina
When: Sunday, August 17, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Kansas City Chiefs (+3) at Carolina Panthers (-3); total 39.0 – view all NFL lines
Why This Game Matters
[sc:NFL240banner ]Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton is expected suit up for the first time this preseason after recuperating from an ankle surgery in the offseason. Newton will be looking to shake off the rust accumulated from his inactivity. The game will also see how well Newton matches with the team’s first-round draft pick wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin.
Betting on the Kansas City Chiefs
A resourceful defense and an excellent special teams unit, which scored 11 touchdowns last season, carried over to the Kansas City Chiefs’ first preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday. Sean Smith and Malcolm Bronson returned interceptions for scores, while De’Anthony Thomas brought back a punt 80 yards for another touchdown.
Offensively, the Chiefs quarterbacks made a couple miscues which led to three turnovers and 21 points allowed. Expected starting QB Alex Smith struggled with the team’s first offense and lost possession on a fumble while third-stringer Tyler Bray also gave up a turnover.
Backup Chase Daniel picked up the slack with eight completions for 126 yards and a touchdown, but had one of his passes intercepted for a 40-yard touchdown by the Bengals.
Part of the QBs’ struggles was due to their offseason-ravaged offensive line, which gave up a total of six sacks to Cincinnati. With how the O-line looked in the preseason opener, expect them to struggle against their next opponents, the Carolina Panthers (60.0 sacks to lead the NFL in 2013).
The Chiefs’ running game was on point as they rushed the ball for 140 yards. Cyrus Gray had 55 yards with a touchdown, while Knile Davis made the most of his two carries with 28 yards. It will be interesting to see when 2013 Kansas City rushing leader Jamaal Charles (1,287 rushing yards) gets more reps than the three carries he had against Cincinnati. Charles will be a big help against Carolina, which were second in defending against the run last season.
Betting on the Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers also had their share of quarterback struggles in a loss to the Buffalo Bills on Friday. Derek Anderson started in Cam Newton’s stead in their preseason opener, and completed five passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. He played three series, but two of those resulted in punts.
Matt Blanchard was sacked once for a 20-yard loss, while Joe Webb was sacked and gave up an interception. However, Webb completed 16 of 18 passes to put up the most yards (180) among the three Carolina QBs who played.
With the backup quarterbacks struggling, Carolina needs to get QB Newton as much reps as necessary in the preseason. Getting reps before the regular season begins will help Newton get into game shape for the season. If he’s on from the start, Newton will give the Panthers’ passing offense a better look than their horrible showing against Buffalo. However, Newton can’t start slow as Kansas City’s first-team secondary will be ready and waiting for any errant passes for scoring opportunities.
Eagerly waiting Newton’s start will be rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin. The team’s first-round draft pick had the play of the game on an excellent 32-yard touchdown catch last Friday. He stumbled against Buffalo’s cornerback Stephon Gilmore but maintained his balance and made an impressive diving catch for the touchdown.
Writer’s Prediction
The Carolina Panthers’ defense give the Kansas City Chiefs fits on the way to a win.
The NFL regular seasson is coming in just a few short weeks. Create a betting account now, and sharpen up your football betting on some of the rowdiest preseason games this month.
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