Chiefs vs. Cardinals, Week 1 preview | KCSN Daily 9.9
Plus the final injury report, players to watch and more Chiefs news.
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The Chiefs will face the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona at State Farm Stadium in Week 1. It also happens to be the host site of Super Bowl LVII. Will the 2022 NFL season end where it begins for Kansas City? One can only hope.
The game will be played at 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday, Sept. 11. You’ll see the game on your local CBS stations around the country, with Tony Romo, Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on the call. There are also tickets available for the game down below.
Final injury report:
Chiefs:
DNP: None.
LP: DE Frank Clark (Illness).
FP: S Deon Bush (Foot), DE Malik Herring (Abdomen), RG Trey Smith (Shoulder), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Knee), and OL Darian Kinnard (Elbow).
Game Status Designations: None.
Cardinals:
DNP: DE J.J. Watt (Calf), WR Rondale Moore (Hamstring), OL Cody Ford (Ankle) and CB Trayvon Mullen (Toe).
LP: OL Justin Pugh (Neck) and TE Zach Ertz (Calf).
FP: LB Markus Golden (Toe), LS Aaron Brewer (Ankle), LB Ezekiel Turner (Shoulder) and RB Jonathan Ward (Shoulder).
Game Status Designations: OL Cody Ford (Out), WR Rondale Moore (Out), CB Trayvon Mullen (Out), DE J.J. Watt (Questionable), CB Byron Murphy (Questionable), OL Justin Pugh (Questionable), TE Zach Ertz (Questionable).
Key:
DNP (Did Not Participate), LP (Limited Participant), FP (Full Participant), NIR (Not Injury Related), Out (Ruled out), Doubtful (Unlikely to play) Questionable (A chance to play), Probable (Likely to play).
KCSN Update:
Listen to BJ Kissel’s chat with Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema to get his three key matchups for the Kansas City Chiefs contest against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
What to look for in Week 1:
How to corral Kyler Murray:
The Chiefs can’t just pin their ears back and go after Cardinals QB Kyler Murray on every snap. He’s not only a deadly passer when flushed out of the pocket, but he can do some damage on the ground with his legs too. He presents the defense with a unique challenge.
“This guy gives you the same headaches that all those guys that are a threat to run, not just on designed quarterback runs, but when he decides to do it, especially on a pass play, and he’s got a unique feel for when he – especially if you’re in man (coverage) – (has) got a unique feel for finding that,” Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo said. “And when he takes off and gets north and south – you guys have seen the film – that can be a problem.”
Both Chris Jones and Justin Reid have preached “corraling” Murray in the pocket. They want to limit those explosive plays through the air and on the ground, which means the defensive line will need to play with a lot of communication, control and poise on Sunday.
The first 15:
Andy Reid has always scripted his first 15 offensive play calls during the course of his career as a head coach. That’s usually where you’ll find him exploiting weaknesses that they’ve found on film and debuting some of his unique looks, motions and formations.
“I mean the first 15 is always something that we discuss, and everybody’s always fired up and excited about that,” Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy told reporters. “I’ve had an opportunity to experience it as a player. I’ve always experienced it now going into my 10th season of working with him, so it’s always something that we’re looking forward to.”
This year there is an element of intrigue to it given the new pieces on the offense at the receiver position. What will that look like for Kansas City? Who will get the targets and the ball early and often? It’s certainly something to monitor heading into the game.
KC Laboratory - Chiefs vs. Cardinals preview
Players to watch:
CB Trent McDuffie:
One of the biggest tendencies among NFL offensive coordinators is to test young defenders early and often. As one of the rookies slated to start in the Chiefs’ defense on Sunday, Trent McDuffie can expect that Kliff Kingsbury has told Kyler Murray to, “Find No. 21 and throw the ball there.” During the preseason, McDuffie allowed two receptions for six yards on just three targets. We’ll see how he holds up during his regular-season debut against players like Marquise Brown and A.J. Green.
LT Orlando Brown Jr.:
Brown Jr.’s contract situation was one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Chiefs this offseason. After failing to reach an agreement on an extension, Brown Jr. agreed to play on the one-year franchise tag. His performance during the 2022 NFL season could be the difference between earning a contract extension with the team next year, another season on the franchise tag, or even the two sides parting ways altogether.
Important dates ahead:
Sunday, Sept. 11 at 3:25 p.m. CT - Week 1: Chiefs @ Cardinals - State Farm Stadium - Glendale, Arizona
Thursday, Sept. 15 at 7:15 p.m. CT - Week 2: Chiefs vs. Chargers - Arrowhead Stadium - Kansas City, Missouri
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