Great news, sports fans! There’s plenty of NFL action coming your way this coming Thursday as the NFL has lined up a packed 16-game schedule that will definitely satisfy your football craving. Two of those games deserve all your attention, though, namely the Kansas City vs. St. Louis showdown and the Arizona vs. Denver clash.
Read on below for a quick breakdown of these two preseason games and while you’re at it you can check out our complete NFL Preseason Week 4 Preview.
[sc:Football ]
Kansas City Chiefs vs. St. Louis Rams
Where: Edward Jones Dome, Saint Louis
When: Thursday, September 3, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Kansas City Chiefs (+3) at St. Louis Rams (-3); total: 39.0 – view all NFL lines
St. Louis’ preseason woes continued on Saturday night with a 24-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The Rams have now lost three straight exhibition games. For the third game running, the Rams struggled mightily on the offensive end. They were held by the Colts to just 14 points and 256 total yards. The Rams are averaging just 10.3 points per game this preseason, second-worst in the entire league.
[sc:NFL240banner ]For the Rams to snap their losing skid against the Kansas City Chiefs, they need to sort out their penalty situation. The Rams had 10 penalties for 83 yards against the Colts on Saturday. The Rams have 229 yards in penalties this preseason, nearly twice as much as their opponents (115). It has been a persistent problem for the Rams, who led the NFC with 1,139 yards in penalties last season.
They will have their work cut out for them, however, against a Kansas City side that is still unbeaten this preseason. The Chiefs stormed to their third-straight win Saturday with a 34-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Alex Smith was superb once again for the Chiefs, completing 16 of 18 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
Writer’s Prediction
Kansas City wins, 20-13.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver
When: Thursday, September 3, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Arizona Cardinals (+6.5) vs. Denver Broncos (-6.5); total: 38.0 – view all NFL lines
The Denver Broncos extended their winning streak in the preseason to three games with a 19-12 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday. Peyton Manning completed 14 of 21 passes for 124 yards, but was sacked three times (twice by linebacker NaVorro Bowman). Manning isn’t expected to play against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, meaning he’ll head into the regular season having guided just two scoring drives – both of them field goals – on 11 preseason possessions.
That being said, the Broncos are still unbeaten in this year’s preseason thanks in large part to their stellar play on the defensive end. They are third in the league in total defense, allowing just 233.3 yards per game this preseason. They will need to be at their best, though, against an Arizona offense that is averaging 22.7 points per game this preseason, seventh-best in the NFL. The Cardinals recorded their first preseason win on Saturday, beating the Oakland Raiders, 30-23.
