The Chiefs edged out the Seahawks last year 24-20 to record their fifth straight win against them and seventh win ATS in their last eight times playing Seattle head-to-head. They will now look to go 2-0 SU and ATS this preseason.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Kansas City won their preseason opener 34-19 while the Seahawks dropped theirs, both SU and ATS, falling 22-20 at home to the Denver Broncos.
Over the last two preseasons, however, it’s the Seahawks who’ve fared better going 6-2 compared to the Chiefs’ 3-5.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Alex Smith got a few reps for the Chiefs’ in their big win over the Cardinals in Week 1, but went just 6 for 10 with an interception.
Backup Chase Daniels was the one that stole the show and he again figures to get a good workload in Week 2, though Smith will play more.
Daniels was quite impressive, going 17 for 21 with 189 yards and three touchdowns.
On the other side, the Seahawks gave R.J Archer most of the looks and he went 11 for 20 with 110 yards and a touchdown while Russell Wilson attempted just one pass, completing it for 12 yards and Tarvaris Jackson completed just one of six for eight yards.
More reps for Wilson under center in Week 2 should help the Seattle offense as they prepare for the regular season.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
Pete Carroll has very little he needs to worry about this preseason. He’s brought Seattle to back-to-back Super Bowls and—as he showed in Week 1—is likely to ease his team back into competition.
Wilson and the rest of the starters will see a few more reps this week, but will still defer quite early to the reserves.
The Chief’s Andy Reid, meanwhile, is pretty well established as well and will be far more concerned with getting ready for the games that count than winning meaningless games in the preseason.
QUOTE TO NOTE
After Week 1, Reid spoke about what he saw and noted that he was underwhelmed by the performance of his first team, saying:
“The one’s could have been sharper, with a long drive with their offense against our defense. We had a big play there and it was too much. Then we came back and tightened it up there with the second drive defensively. Offensively, we had a couple blown assignments there and you blow an assignment and things are going to happen negatively. That’s kind of what happened there with the interception. We’ve got to make sure to tighten that up and get better.”
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
The right side of the Chiefs’ offensive line is interesting as is their battle at center. Jeff Allen was slotted into the Right tackle position a couple weeks ago, but he went down in Week 1 with an injury. Donald Stephenson may take the spot instead.
As for right guard, if Allen is healthy and not at tackle, he could play at guard. The team could also go with Ben Grubbs or Paul Fanaika or several others. There are likely to be a number of different combinations used at right tackle and right guard this week.
INJURIES
Robert Turbin is recovering from offseason hip surgery, but was worked into the first game with five carries. He should see his workload increase in Week 2.
Kansas City suffered a handful of injuries in Week 1 including a knee sprain for Knile Davis, a calf strain for De’Anthony Thomas, a MCL sprain for Jeff Allen and a shoulder contusion for Eric Kush. Fortunately, none are too serious, though Allen’s injury is worrisome.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Kansas City really stuck it to Arizona, but the Seahawks are a better team, offering a bigger challenge. The first team for each squad is likely to get a couple more reps and that is bad news for Reid and the Chiefs unless they pick up their game. In their win over Arizona, they exploited poor play by the depths of the Cardinals’ roster.
Seattle 24, Kansas City 17
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