AZSU Predictions for Chiefs vs Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals haven’t been gifted an easy matchup for Week One

Facing the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that has been to the AFC Championship game four years in a row, is an undeniably tough start to anyone’s seasons. On Sept. 11, the Arizona Cardinals will take on Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes in Glendale.

Hit by a string of mysterious injuries, the Cardinals might be undermanned in a game against a team that is reporting no serious injuries to any of their major players. The loss of Tyreek Hill seems to make the Chiefs offense a bit less dangerous, but with Mahomes throwing the ball they will still be a dynamic team and there are certainly still many existing question marks in the Cardinals secondary.

The team here at AZSPORTS Underground is going to give their quick hit predictions on what will go down this Sunday. Let us know what you think and who got it right!

Joe Comeau

I think that Vance Joseph is going to dial up a lot of pressure on Mahomes, resulting in big plays for both the Cardinals defense and the Chiefs offense. Subsequently, I’m predicting that Mahomes throws multiple touchdowns and multiple interceptions.

In terms of the overall, my head says the Chiefs have the advantage but my heart says the Cardinals are better than many seem to think. I’m picking the Cardinals to win by a score of 34-27.

Robert Moore

Here are the facts. No D Hop, no Chandler Jones for the Cardinals. No Tyreek Hill and no Tyrann Mathieu for the Chiefs. The Cardinals have a lot of returning players with much-needed depth and the Chiefs have a lot of new faces on both sides of the ball. The Chiefs offense will look very different without Hill. Cardinals acquired Hollywood Brown which Kyler has history playing with in college.

Everyone is predicting a shoot-out which logically makes sense. I prefer to look at it differently. Best way to beat Mahomes, keep him on the bench. Last year both the Cardinals and the Chiefs struggled against the run. The Cardinals have the edge in the run game. If they can utilize the run effectively which results in the control of time of possession, it will force the Chiefs to take risks which could result in errors. If the Cardinals choose the shoot-out, I see them a close game with the Cardinals edging out a dub 34-31. If they choose to run, Cardinals again with the dub 27-21.

Pick your poison Chiefs.

Mark Jackson

I think the game will be close, but high scoring.  I don’t think that JJ Watt and Marcus Golden will be enough to put pressure on Mahomes.  I do think that the Cardinals Safeties will get 2 picks, and one of those late in the game to set up a game winning field goal.  I believe that our running game will do good, and the offense will have around 200 yards rushing.  Isabella will have a good game with around 70 yards receiving.  Klyer will throw one pick himself. 

All in all a very exciting game, with the Cardinals winning 34-31.

Jackie Samaniego

Kyler is going to show the league what a motivated Kyler Murray looks like.  This is his chance to show his critics he is worth the money the Cardinals gave him.  Despite DeAndre Hopkins being suspended, this offense still has weapons to work with.  I think Kliff will scheme up a solid rushing attack and spread the ball around amongst our receivers. Looking at the Chief’s defense, there isn’t a name on the roster that moves me.  If their defense is giving up points, it could cause the Chiefs offense to start forcing things.

On the defensive side, our safeties are going to come up big.  The Cardinals have arguably the best and most slept-on safety tandem in Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson. If Patrick Mahomes has to start forcing big plays, they both can capitalize. The pass rush can also capitalize on Mahome’s deep dropbacks. Overall if the defense can hit Mahomes early and often and create turnovers, the Chiefs are going to have a bad time. 

Both teams will be rusty but the Cardinals will come away with a 27-24 win.

Andrew Heidemann

It’s hard to really predict the outcome of this game. I could definitely see the Cardinals and Chiefs putting up multiple touchdowns. This could prove to be a high scoring close game or this could be a blowout for either team.

The Cardinals are going to have to figure out who they are going to throw the rock to as they look to be without top receivers Rondale Moore and Deandre Hopkins. If the Chiefs have a hard time containing the elite speed of Marquise Brown, he could be the deciding factor of this game for the Cardinals.

However, all this being said, the Cardinals must find a way to stop Patrick Mahomes. The Cardinals pass rush has to contain him and apply the pressure all game. The Cardinals are fully capable of beating the Chiefs.

I think it will be a 30-27 win for the Cardinals on a game-winning field goal.

Rashad Paynes

The Cardinals have a couple of key guys injured going into Week 1 but that doesn’t waive the confidence that I have in this team to put up points. As long as Rodney Hudson is a go, which he looks like he is, and Kyler and Kliff are engineering the offense, I believe the  Cardinals will put up enough points to win this game.

While I expect both teams to be able to move the ball consistently, when I look at the two defenses, I feel as if the Cardinals have more playmakers. We’ve seen time and time again how this defense isn’t necessarily the best but it’s very opportunistic and makes plays when we need them to.

For me and how I feel about this team this season, Kyler said it best, “When you step on the field with me you’re 100% confident we’re gonna win the game.” Injuries and personnel aside, Kyler will be playing Sunday therefore I’m picking the Cardinals to win against the Chiefs. Final score, 31-27, with a game-changing defensive play in the 4th quarter followed by a savvy game-winning drive.

Kyler Burd

The likely loss of Rondale Moore for this matchup has really changed the calculus in my head. The wide receiver room in Arizona is deep, but the string of injuries that seem to be affecting the team most likely have an effect not just on the morale of the fanbase but the team as well.

A Cardinals squad that isn’t in the right headspace going against an AFC juggernaut like the Chiefs is a perfect storm for Week One. Mahomes has shown again and again that he is capable of putting a team on his shoulders and forcing a win to materialize out of thin air. I would argue the Cardinals offense looks more talented top to bottom, but the X-factor of Mahomes looms large. Hopefully, Kyler Murray can take the next step into being a quarterback that can lead his team through adversity. If, however, he is without Hopkins, Moore, and potentially Zach Ertz, he will have his work cut out for him.

Unfortunately, I can’t agree with my pals here at AZSPORTS Underground. I think the Chiefs have too much experience at winning games to let this one slip by. Not to mention, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are 11-2 in the month of September.

I see a high scoring game, but ultimately the Chiefs take it 38-32.

(Yes, you can boo my pessimism in the comments.)