Week 1 is finally here as the AFC powerhouse Kansas City Chiefs come to the desert to take on the Arizona Cardinals Sunday afternoon.
Each week, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at both the Cardinals and their opponent.
This week is quite the test for the Cards, who presently have many questions and concerns surrounding them. Let’s dive in.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
Arizona's offense vs. Kansas City's defense
Many project this game to be a shootout between superstar quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Patrick Mahomes. As a matter of fact, this game has the highest Over/Under point total at all sportsbooks for Week 1.
The Cardinals are going to need to put up a lot of points in this one with a threat like Mahomes on the other side of the field. There are some question marks about who will be available to perform for Arizona.
Second-year pro Rondale Moore suffered a hamstring injury during Thursday’s practice and looks unlikely to play. Tight end Zach Ertz was downgraded to not practicing as well.
This, of course, comes with the loss of receiver DeAndre Hopkins to a six-game suspension. The Cards are going to need at least one of Moore or Ertz to play.
On offense, look for the Cardinals to give the Chiefs a heavy dose of James Conner, as their rushing defense was among the worst in the NFL last season.
According to ESPN, the Chiefs had the worst run-stop win rate in the league last year. They also allowed 4.8 yards per rush, which was the second worst.
Look for the Cardinals to establish a steady rushing attack with two tight end sets due to the absence of receivers. The tight end room of Zach Ertz, Maxx Williams and second-round pick Trey McBride will need to be leaned on.
Look for the Cards’ new star wideout, Hollywood Brown, to have a good outing. He torched the Chiefs last season with the Ravens for 6 catches, 113 yards and a touchdown.
Kansas City's offense vs. Arizona's defense
This is certainly the matchup that is concerning Cardinals fans the most.
The Cardinals did surprisingly little in terms of defensive improvement in the offseason. They lost pass rusher Chandler Jones in free agency and did little to replace him.
The Chiefs will be playing their first game without superstar wideout Tyreek Hill, who was the focal point of the offense and opened up the middle of the field for Travis Kelce.
In his absence, the Chiefs signed veterans JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marques Valdes-Scantling. Both are solid playmakers but do not possess the explosiveness of Hill.
Defensively, look for Vance Joseph to dial up his exotic blitz packages. A solid blueprint to follow might be the 2020 season when Chandler Jones suffered a season-ending bicep injury.
Stopping Travis Kelce is one tall task, one that will likely fall in the hands of Isaiah Simmons. It’s likely the Cardinals double Kelce and send pressure. It will then be up to Kansas City’s new-look receiving core to beat the Cardinals.
The defense has a ton of question marks. There’s really no other way to put it. However, if they can have a solid outing against the league’s best in Patrick Mahomes, perhaps they can prove us wrong.
Key injuries
Cardinals
- WR Rondale Moore (hamstring)
- DE J.J. Watt (calf)
- CB Trayvon Mullen Jr. (toe)
- TE Zach Ertz (calf)
- OLB Markus Golden (toe)
Chiefs
- DE Frank Clark (illness)
Conclusion
This is a huge test for the Cardinals. They have been the subject of ridicule and jokes after a wild offseason.
Are they the team from the first half of last season? Or from the latter half? Last year’s 10-2 team would have a great chance of beating this Chiefs roster at home.
