Chiefs-Cardinals Preview: Take Care of the Birds

Like last week, the Chiefs enter a matchup hot against a struggling team. Kansas City currently sits at 8-1 and is looking to improve to 5-0 at home. Arizona enters 2-6 with their only two victories coming against the 49ers. This is another game where the Chiefs just need to take care of business with another win and move on to the big game against the Rams. Let’s look at some headlines going into this Chiefs-Cardinals game.

Rookie Woes

This year’s tenth overall pick, quarterback Josh Rosen, has gone through peaks and valleys since taking over for Sam Bradford late in Week 3. Rosen has not thrown for very many yards in any game, so the Chiefs need to be ready for quick outs and slants from the UCLA product. He also has turned the ball over plenty of times. Rosen has six interceptions, to just five touchdown passes. He has also has struggled with ball security. If the Chiefs pass rush can get to him, they may be able to cause a key fumble. Even though Rosen has mostly struggled, he will have Byron Leftwich as his offensive for the second time following the firing of former OC Mike McCoy. Last time out, Rosen led a game-winning drive under the tutelage of Leftwich.

Don’t Let Up

The Cardinals statistically look like a good defense, but the Chiefs offense is leaps and bounds ahead of most of the opposing offenses that they have faced. Only three times has Arizona allowed more than 27 points. Meanwhile, Kansas City has scored at least 27 points every game. The Chiefs have had some turnovers, which the Cardinals are sneaky at forcing, but rarely have those turnovers hurt them. Patrick Mahomes and Co. will likely get plenty of opportunities given the way this game could go. Look for the Chiefs to push the Cardinals defense by going vertical. Kansas City shouldn’t have many issues, but they need to keep the foot on the gas against this Arizona defense.

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Matchup to Watch: David Johnson vs Chiefs Run Defense

It’s been a trying season for David Johnson. So far, he has only rushed for more than sixty yards in a game once this season. He’s also a decent receiving back, yet has not reached fifty yards as a receiver in a single matchup in 2018. Some of that is the offensive line play of Arizona, but this guy was one of the top running backs just a couple of years ago. Now, the Chiefs have a good matchup for their struggling run defense. Kansas City has to be able to keep Johnson bottled up, and not allow him to cut back against the linebackers. What could help the Chiefs’ run defense also, is if the offense puts the game away and forces the Cardinals to throw it.

Statistical Notes

With a 50 yard touchdown last week, Kareem Hunt now has five 50+ yard touchdowns since the start of last season. The only player in the NFL with more in that time span, is his teammate, Tyreek Hill.

We have continued to watch Mahomes touchdown numbers climb. This week, he needs just two touchdown passes to set a single-season franchise record. Len Dawson‘s old record could be broken in this contest, as early as the end of the first quarter.

Thank you for reading. Enjoy this Chiefs-Cardinals game in Week 10. You can always follow along at Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is a Kansas City Chiefs writer for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9 Follow @FPC_Chiefs and Facebook.

– Kyle Senra is the editor for the Kansas City Chiefs on Full Press Coverage. Like and follow on Follow @nyama_ks Follow @FPC_NFL and Facebook.