The Seattle Seahawks should look more like the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 of the preseason after sitting a number of regulars in last week’s opener and that doesn’t bode well for the Chiefs. Kansas City’s reserves blasted Arizona last week but have a stiffer test against a deep Seahawks squad.
ODDS
Seattle is the first road team to be favored in the 2015 preseason, opening at -1 with a total of 40.5.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
The Seahawks suffered a blow when backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson sustained an ankle injury in the third quarter of last week’s preseason opener. He will not play this week and is likely out for a majority of the preseason. Starter Russell Wilson played two unimpressive series throwing just one pass – which he completed for 12 yards – losing a fumble and taking a sack. Wilson should get a few more reps this week with R.J. Archer, who completed 11 of 20 passes for 110 yards and engineered the only offensive touchdown drive, getting snaps as the No. 2. Seattle doesn’t have a fourth quarterback on its roster but does have B.J. Daniels, who served as the No. 3 last year. He’s being tried as receiver this season and has done enough to warrant a roster spot. The Seahawks will make a move accordingly depending on the severity of Jackson’s injury.
Alex Smith played the entire first half in last year’s second preseason game and will likely play similar snaps against the Seahawks after an uneventful three series against the Cardinals last week. Smith completed 6 of 10 passes for just 42 yards and was intercepted on the team’s opening drive. Backup Chase Daniel stole the show with three touchdowns and 189 yards on 17 of 21 passing. Aaron Murray picked up the scraps.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
The Chiefs and head coach Andy Reid feel they have a legitimate shot at winning the AFC West and doing some damage in the postseason this year. In order to do that the first-teamers must be on the field come September. Reid’s emphasis during the preseason isn’t about winning games rather working out the kinks and staying healthy. He has plenty to work on after the preseason opener last week in Arizona. Despite a win, the Chiefs first team defense was steamrolled by Carson Palmer during the Cardinals’ opening drive while the offense stumbled out of the gate. Kansas City reserves dominated the final three quarters, overcoming a 10-point deficit to get the 34-19 win. Still, the starters will seek a better start against the Seahawks. “Listen, the ones could have been sharper,” Reid said after last week’s game.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“He looked like we had hoped he would look. We drafted him with the thought that he might give us a real spark in an area we wanted to see if we could find a way to improve and be more dynamic. He did that.” – Seattle coach Pete Carroll on rookie Tyler Lockett, who had a 103-yard kickoff return for a touchdown last week against Denver.
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
The Chiefs have spent all of training camp shuffling their offensive line, using the competition to figure out their best five by the regular season. Left tackle Eric Fisher limped off the practice field Monday, two days after guard Jeff Allen suffered a knee injury in the preseason opener. Guard Ben Grubbs is the only player on the line who was in the initial five for camp. “We’re going to keep moving and shuffling until we have five,” coach Andy Reid said. The injuries set up competition between a number of players, including Donald Stephenson, Jarrod Pughsley, Mitch Morse and Lauren Duvernay-Tardif for spots on the line. Things could get interesting for Alex Smith against the Seahawks on Friday.
INJURIES
Seattle receiver Chris Matthews, a standout in Super Bowl XLIX, suffered a shoulder sprain against the Broncos and didn’t return. He emerged in last season’s playoffs and had four catches for 109 yards in the Super Bowl loss to New England.
Starting left tackle Eric Fisher injured his ankle Monday in practice and is scheduled to have an MRI to determine the extent. It’s unclear how long the former No. 1 overall draft pick will be out but he will not play Thursday.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Seattle is expected to play its full roster this week and that’s why the Seahawks opened as the first road favorite in the 2015 preseason. Both teams are working on offensive line formations and that should allow the defenses to make some plays. Seattle quarterbacks were sacked seven times last week by Denver and O line play is a major issue for Pete Carroll and his staff. KC is facing a dilemma on the line as well with injuries to a pair of starters and this game could get little movement on the offensive side.
Seattle 20, Kansas City 16
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