Chiefs vs. Cardinals: NFL preseason betting odds, preview, and pick

Week 2 of the 2021 NFL Preseason continues this week, and one of this better matchup features the Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals in a Friday night primetime clash. Both teams are 1-0 so far after notching identical 19-16 wins in Week 1.

Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds and top storylines.

Fountain showed promise in Week 1

It is well-established that the engine powering the Chiefs’ potent offense is All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but part of the reason for his past success has been the elite talent Kansas City has had at the skill positions. With wide receiver Sammy Watkins now with the Baltimore Ravens, the Chiefs will be looking to find a legitimate No. 2 to pair opposite speedster Tyreek Hill.

In game 1 of the preseason, presumed pole position receiver Mecole Hardman had one target and one drop, a troubling sign for a team that hopes to pass frequently. But opposite Hardman’s drop, new pickup Daurice Fountain showed some potential with four receptions for 38 yards.

Fountain is not lighting fast like so many of the Chiefs options, but at 6’2" and 210 pounds, the former Indianapolis Colts fifth-round draft pick may have the size and reliability that will give him an opportunity to make the roster. With the Chiefs always needing a bevy of receivers, the next two preseason games will be watched closely as Hardman, Fountain, and others attempt to separate themselves from the pack and earn starting positions for the upcoming season.

The future is bright for Benjamin and Moore

On the other side of the field, the Cardinals used their first preseason game to confirm Colt McCoy is a reliable backup to starter Kyler Murray's record against every NFL team. McCoy went 6-7 for 69 yards.

Also on the field was young Arizona State running back product, Eno Benjamin, who flashed explosiveness with five carries for 50 yards. Of greater interest was Purdue product Rondale Moore, who was one of the more electric skill players in all of college football during his 20-game tenure. Moore had two carries for 16 yards, and three catches for 23 yards in the Cardinals' victory over the Cowboys in Week 1.

Moore is the type of versatile weapon that the Cardinals could use in a myriad of ways to keep defenses guessing, and bettors can expect him to get additional opportunities to shine in Week 2 of the preseason.

Chiefs and Cardinals Betting Trends 

• The Chiefs are 2-9-1 ATS in their last 12 games
• The last three games between these teams have gone Under the projected total
• Four of the last six Chiefs games have gone Under the projected total
• The Chiefs are 4-1 straight-up in their last five games against the Cardinals
• The Chiefs are just 2-5 ATS in their last seven games when playing at Arizona

Youth vs. Experience

The Chiefs have an established roster with few question marks and aren't looking to make any dramatic changes heading into the regular season. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have several new and unproven players that they're still evaluating, and they'll likely see a lot of snaps in this game. They won't be perfect, but they're playing for jobs and that desperation is likely to translate into greater effort.

Cardinals will cover

The Chiefs have been dismal against the spread and on the road in Arizona. Expect the Cardinals to win and cover with a more committed effort.

NFL preseason pick: Cardinals +2.5

Score prediction: Cardinals 23, Chiefs 17