Last season was a step in the right direction for the Kansas City Chiefs. They bounced back from a dismal 1-5 start to reel off 11 consecutive victories, only to lose out on the AFC West title by a game to eventual Super Bowl champion Denver. They won their first playoff game since 1994, snapping an eight-game skid in the process. And now they have their sights set higher entering their fourth season under head coach Andy Reid.
The Week 1 preseason battle between the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs will take place Saturday, August 13, 2016, at 4:30 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium. Watch the game live on the NFL Network.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Seattle Seahawks +1.5 ( -120 )
Kansas City Chiefs -1.5 ( +100 )
Over/Under 35.5
ODDS ANALYSIS
The line has already moved to Kansas City -3, meaning the betting public has jumped on the Chiefs. There is some inexperience behind Russell Wilson at quarterback for the Seahawks and that has kept the total relatively low at 35.5.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
With an intense battle percolating between Trevone Boykin and Jake Heaps for the No. 2 spot on Seattle’s quarterback depth chart, expect the two to split a majority of snaps in the preseason opener. Russell Wilson is the starter and could play a series or two, similar to last season, before letting the two reserves battle.
According to coach Pete Carroll, Boykin has done a “great job” in camp and has the edge heading into the opener. The two definitely need the work. Between them, Boykin and Heaps have one preseason game and one pass attempt, with Heaps supplying both last year with the Jets. Seattle also brought Brad Sorenson to camp for a workout early this week.
The addition of Nick Foles last week gives the Chiefs five quarterbacks in camp. Not all are going to see playing time Saturday night, but coach Andy Reid likes to get everyone involved. Alex Smith is the unquestioned starter and will get a series of action. Despite just getting to camp, Reid said Foles will play against the Seahawks. How much depends on Foles’ grasp of the offensive playbook.
With last year’s backup Chase Daniel gone, Foles, who worked with Reid when the two were together in Philadelphia in 2012, is familiar with parts of the playbook and will compete with Tyler Bray and Aaron Murray. Rookie Kevin Hogan is the fifth quarterback on the roster.
COACHING HISTORY
In Seattle’s Super Bowl winning season of 2013, the Seahawks impressed from the beginning. Carroll’s squad ran the table in the preseason, going 4-0 SU and ATS, an effort that led them to a 13-3 regular season record and victory over Denver in the Super Bowl. So it’s safe to say, Carroll believes the exhibition games have some meaning.
Carroll is 15-9 ATS in his Seattle preseason career and owns a 27-13-1 ATS record overall as a head coach during the preseason.
Reid’s preseason record indicates he could care less about the outcome of the games. Overall he’s 32-36 during the preseason, but has a 7-5 mark with the Chiefs, including an unbeaten preseason last year with a 3-1 ATS record. Known as an offensive-minded coach, Reid’s Chiefs have cashed the over eight times in his 12 preseason games.
QUICK PICK
The Seahawks have plenty of issues to sort out on offense and will spend a majority of the preseason addressing those. First off, they open without Marshawn Lynch, who retired following last season. While Lynch was recovering from injuries, Thomas Rawls stepped up and his emergence could lessen the blow. Overall, the offense was surprisingly good last season but once again was overshadowed by a dominant defense.
Both teams will give reps to their backup quarterbacks with hopes of solidifying the position. Seattle’s reserves have never attempted a pass in a regular season NFL game while the Chiefs picked up veteran Foles, who was drafted out of Arizona by Reid in 2012 while at Philadelphia. There is some familiarity there, and the reason why Foles chose KC over other clubs. That will be the difference in this game after the starters depart.
NFL Odds: Chiefs 20, Seahawks 15
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