Thank heavens there’s no shortage of NFL action now (granted that it’s just the preseason). Just this past Saturday, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 34-19, with both teams getting some superb performances from expected and unexpected players alike.
The Chiefs will look to extend their winning ways this Friday as they host the Seattle Seahawks. Then on the following day, the Cardinals will expect a visit from the San Diego Chargers. Read on as we take a closer look at both of these compelling preseason matchups. Afterwards, have a helping of another preseason preview as we tackle the Week 2 games of Buffalo vs. Cleveland and Green Bay vs. Pittsburgh.
[sc:Football ]Seattle Seahawks vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
When: Friday, August 21, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Seattle Seahawks (pk) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (pk); total: 40.5 – view all NFL lines
[sc:NFL240banner ]It’s a good thing that it’s only the preseason right now, because Russell Wilson had a stinker of an effort for the +600 Super Bowl 50 favorite Seattle Seahawks in the 22-20 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 1. Wilson was sacked twice (and fumbled on one of those sacks) and made just one pass that day – a 12-yarder to new Legion of Boom recruit Jimmy Graham.
Wilson’s halfhearted outing should warrant no concern since it’s only the preseason. Even better for Seattle, two notable rookies stepped-up big time in what’s technically their first shot at a real NFL game. Second-round pick and defensive end Frank Clark showed what he was capable of doing in the vaunted Seattle D with his game-high nine tackles. Clark also registered a QB hit and a forced fumble in his big-league debut.
Meanwhile, third-round pick Tyler Lockett dazzled the Seattle crowd with his 103-yard kick return for a touchdown in the second quarter, just one attempt after going for 46 yards in his first kick return of the game during the first quarter. The rookie receiver will likely be Seattle’s specialist on returns, just as the team had planned from the beginning and as further justified by his remarkable performance this past Friday.
The Kansas City Chiefs will be ready for the back-to-back NFC champs, and backup quarterback Chase Daniel will relish another crack at extended playing time. The seven-year pro proved that he deserves to play second-fiddle to Alex Smith, going 17-of-29 for 189 passing yards and three touchdowns, including converting 13 of his 16 throws for 145 yards in the second quarter last Saturday against Arizona.
Kansas City also got a boost on defense, albeit an emotional one. After being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, safety Eric Berry set foot in Arrowhead Stadium for the first time in nine months. Although he didn’t take a single snap in the game against the Cards, his presence amongst his peers, even from the Arizona players, makes for a feel good story in this otherwise barren August stretch heading into the regular season.
Berry last saw extensive action in 2013, ending that year with three interceptions (two for pick-sixes) and three and a half sacks. Although his return to the active roster is still up in the air, his probable addition to the Kansas City D during the regular season will definitely enhance the team’s secondary depth as he slowly makes his way up as a starter once more.
Writer’s Prediction
Back-to-back preseason victories for Kansas City, with a final score of 19-13 over Seattle.
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San Diego Chargers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale
When: Saturday, August 22, 10:00 PM ET
Line: San Diego Chargers (+2.5) vs. Arizona Cardinals (-2.5); total: 39.5 – view all NFL lines
Despite the loss to the Chiefs last Saturday, the Arizona Cardinals are just glad to have Carson Palmer back on the field. And as far as Week 1 of the preseason goes, their starting quarterback showed no signs of regression whatsoever. In fact, Palmer made all four of his pass attempts for 77 yards and orchestrated a seven-play, 80-yard scoring drive in Arizona’s first possession of the game.
Over on defense, Tyrann Matthieu provided the Cards defense’s highlight of the day by picking off Alex Smith’s pass, which he returned for 27 yards. As a natural free safety, Matthieu’s first start at cornerback in Arizona’s secondary got off on the right foot. The third-year pro is now 20 months removed from the torn ACL and LCL he suffered at the end of his rookie season, and his presence in the relatively thin Cardinals secondary will be of much use come the real NFL season.
Arizona better watch out, though, as the San Diego Chargers are planning to rumble their way to victory this coming Saturday. The Chargers handily dispatched the Dallas Cowboys 17-7 in Week 1 of the preseason, with their defense causing three fumbles against the Cowboys’ reserves.
San Diego’s passing game wasn’t on full display that Saturday, but the ground game sure was. All five of the roster’s running backs had touches in the game, but none more important than Danny Woodhead’s return. Woodhead played just three games in 2014 before suffering a season-ending broken fibula. His lone carry against Dallas was an eight-yard touchdown run.
San Diego’s first-round pick of this year’s draft, Melvin Gordon, also saw a bit of action, running for just 11 yards in six carries. Fellow running back and projected regular season starter Branden Oliver was a tad more involved with his 10 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown.
It seems as if the Chargers want to go heavier on the run this 2015 to take away even more pressure off of quarterback Philip Rivers. By the looks of things right now, they have a lot of solid pieces who could produce nicely from the backfield.
Writer’s Prediction
Arizona wins a tight one over San Diego, 21-20.
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