CHIEFS @ CARDINALS
Shane Bullen
Another important match-up this week sees the Kansas City Chiefs (7-5) travel to the University of Phoenix Stadium, Arizona to take on the NFC leading Arizona Cardinals (9-3).
The dwindling Cardinals are coming off consecutive losses to the playoff-contending Seahawks & the playoff-pretending Falcons, both on the road. The return to Phoenix will be much needed as the Cardinals have a perfect home record this season (6-0) & have again put their confidence behind QB Drew Stanton who has been the starting quarterback since Carson Palmer unfortunately went down with an ACL injury in Week 10.
The Chiefs are also coming off back-to-back losses against the Raiders & the Broncos. Kansas City really struggled last week rushing the ball, despite having arguably the best RB in the NFL, Charles only rushed 10 times for 35 yards. QB Alex Smith was sacked 6 times & again was unable to efficiently link up with the wide receivers, a problem that, if not rectified quickly, will hurt the Chiefs come playoffs time.... if they make it.
Not one single Chiefs wide receiver has caught a touchdown this season, nor had a single game with 100+ receiving yards. Instead, the Chiefs offense has became heavily reliant on RB Jamaal Charles and TE's Travis Kelce & Anthony Fasano in the air.
The defense on the other hand has been the key to the Chiefs successful season thus far. The secondary is ranked 1st in the NFL in passing yards allowed (196.8 yds per game) whilst linebacker Justin Houston is having a phenomenal year, with 14.0 sacks on the season.
The Cardinals have been much of the same story. Continuous struggles on offense & havily relying on the defense to create opportunities. Led by QB Drew Stanton lately, the Cards have struggled, with the QB throwing 3 TD's & 5 INT's in the past 3 games.
RB Andre Ellington was taken out of last weeks game with a hip injury & is unlikely to play this week, however Arizona is likely to regain veteran WR Larry Fitzgerald, who returned to practice on Wednesday from a knee injury.
With both teams needing this win & both coming off mediocre running performances last week, I can see Jamaal Charles going big, and without Ellington, the Cardinals will have no answer. Coming up against a 27th-ranked pass defense, this is a chance for the Chiefs receiving unit to make some plays.
KANSAS CITY BY 8.