Chiefs vs. Cardinals Point Spread: NFL Week 1 Odds, Prediction
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Nik Kowalski
The Chiefs remain one of the league’s Super Bowl contenders but without some of previous years’ key pieces; receiver Tyreek Hill (traded to Miami) and safety Tyrann Mathieu (signed with New Orleans) are the two headline names no longer in Kansas City.
Arizona got Murray’s contract situation figured out with a five-year $230-million extension. They’re in on Kyler, who they hope can lead them to at least a playoff win after an 11-6 season and Wild-Card exit a year ago. In Kansas City, it’s unfinished business as they seek a second Super Bowl title in the Mahomes era after blowing a double-digit lead in the AFC Championship.
Kickoff at State Farm Stadium is set for 4:25 p.m. EDT with the Chiefs six-point favourites on the road and the over-under at 53 on the NFL odds.
NFL Week 1 Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Kansas City finished the 2021–22 season on a roll when it came to covering the spread, going 8-3 ATS in their last 11. Arizona was on the opposite spectrum, covering in just one of their final six games before a disappointing playoff exit.
Both offences finished in the top 10 for scoring a year ago (Kansas City fourth with 29.4 points per game and Arizona 10th with 25.6). With these quarterbacks suited up you can expect the high-scoring offences again, hence the total being in the 50s. Overall, seven of the Chiefs’ last eight games have gone over the total. The under is 4-1 in Arizona’s last five games though.
Kansas City Chiefs
Mahomes is without Hill, but superstar tight end Travis Kelce is still poised for another massive season and the Chiefs reloaded with some new playmakers as well: JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling came over from Pittsburgh and Green Bay respectively, and 2022 second-round pick Skyy Moore is expected to see the field along with returnee Mecole Hardman. The Chiefs alo have one of the league’s best offensive lines too, especially after trading for left tackle Orlando Brown Jr.
On the flip side, defence could continue to be an issue. The Chiefs surrendered over 365 yards a game last season and with Mathieu, but also Melvin Ingram, Charvarius Ward, and Anthony Hitchens departed from this unit’s starting lineup, things could get worse in 2022-23.
Arizona Cardinals
Murray’s playmakers will be somewhat different this year, as Christian Kirk left in free agency in DeAndre Hopkins begins a six-game PED suspension. Arizona’s off-season splash was trading for Baltimore receiver Hollywood Brown in exchange for a first-round pick. Brown joins Rondale Moore and A.J. Green in the receiving crops as well as re-signed tight end Zach Ertz.
Arizona’s middle-of-the-pack defence lost pass rusher Chandler Jones in free agency, but they are hoping to grow internally with key younger players. Safety Budda Baker is entering the prime of his career, while 2020 and 2021 first-round picks Isiah Simmons and Zaven Collins have NFL experience under the belts at linebacker and Simmons a 105-tackle season in 2021–22.
KC
ARI