Both the Chiefs and Cardinals won by identical 19-16 scores in their respective preseason opening games in Week 1. That's a rare score for a single football game, so the fact that it happened twice and the teams are now playing each other is extra surprising. It’s time to continue our NFL odds series and make a Chiefs-Cardinals prediction and pick.

What's not surprising though is that the team's star quarterbacks will likely barely be featured in this matchup. Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes and Arizona's Kyler Murray might play a set or two, but like most preseason games, this will be a competition between backups fighting for roster spots and increased playing time.

Given that Kansas City is one of the NFL's premier teams and Arizona has an up-and-coming roster, these backups might show up more than the typical preseason game might showcase. Now, the teams out west face each other in a matchup of two teams with playoff aspirations in 2021-22.

Here’s how the bookmakers have set the lines for Thursday’s matchup.

NFL Odds: Chiefs-Cardinals Odds

Kansas City Chiefs -2 (-110)

Arizona Cardinals +2 (-110)

Over 41 points (-110)

Under 41 points (-110)

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Why The Chiefs Could Win

We all know how good the Chiefs can be at full strength. But we also saw this team get embarrassed in the Super Bowl earlier this year. Luckily for the Chiefs, expectations remain sky-high for a team that is looking to win its second championship in three seasons. But don't be mistaken, Patrick Mahomes will be complete non-factor in this preseason game. As mentioned, he'll maybe play a few snaps. But let's take a look at the other quarterbacks who played for the Chiefs in Week 1 of the preseason. Anthony Gordon went 11 for 17, with 79 yards. After going undrafted in 2020 and being waived by the Seahawks early in the 2020 season, Gordon was signed by the Chiefs in January 2021. He has a really cool story. He went from playing quarterback at community college in California to being the starting quarterback at Washington State. With the Cougars, Gordon threw for 48 touchdowns, second among FBS players behind only Joe Burrow of LSU.

Shane Buechele went 8 for 11, with 76 yards in Week 1. He had a successful college career, splitting time as the quarterback for both Texas and SMU. The rookie went undrafted in 2021, was signed by the Chiefs this past May, and just played in his first professional game as a quarterback. Whether or not he ends up finding a spot on the Chiefs roster is a complete unknown, but the likelihood is that he ends up on the practice squad to develop as a player. That being said, he played very well for his first professional game and the Chiefs may be interested in giving Buechele a similar amount of snaps, or more, to further assess his early abilities behind center.

Lastly, there is Chad Henne, who went 6 for 9, with 37 yards passing, one touchdown, and one interception. As the veteran of this group, Henne is most likely to secure the Chiefs backup quarterback position. While no one is questioning Mahomes' status on this team, Henne did provide heroics of his own in last year's playoffs. In Kansas City's game against the Browns, Henne entered the game in the second half, put together a few key plays to preserve his team's lead, and ultimately helped Kansas City advance to the AFC Championship around, at which time Mahomes was ready to return to the lineup.

Assuming that all three quarterbacks get some decent playing time in this game, with the younger duo of Gordon and Buechele getting the bulk of time at quarterback, the Chiefs have a group out to play for something. Keep in mind, these are the two-time defending AFC Champions and even their backups are some of the best backups in the league. Preseason or regular season, sometimes its just tough to bet against these high-powered Chiefs, no matter the game type or month.

Why The Cardinals Could Win

Arizona comes into this game expecting to mainly feature two quarterbacks with amazing underdog stories. Chris Streveler, who went 12 for 24 with 107 yards passing and 55 yards rushing in the Cardinals Week 1 win, is a former star quarterback at the University of South Dakota. While in Vermillion, Streveler became one of the best players in FCS football and put his team on the map. After his successful collegiate career, Streveler carved out a significant role with the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers. After winning the Grey Cup in Canada (the CFL's version of the Super Bowl), Streveler played in very limited action for the Cardinals in 2020. Last season, he played in just five games, attempting 16 passes and making four rushing attempts. Given that he did receive some playing time for the Cards last year, he remains a name to watch for the team's backup quarterback spot.

Colt McCoy has had quite the comeback since being a third round draft pick by the Browns in 2010. As one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the Texas Longhorns, many within football circles believed McCoy would be the next big thing in Cleveland. Since leaving the Browns after just three seasons, McCoy has made stops with the 49ers, Washington Football Team, and Giants. He signed with the Cardinals this offseason. In 2020 with the Giants, McCoy appeared in his most games (4) and threw for the most yards (375) since his 2014 season with Washington. McCoy was instrumental in helping the Giants upset the Seahawks late in the 2020 season. He's still far from his status as a top quarterback while in Austin, Texas, but it's awesome to see McCoy gaining a slightly significant role at this point in his career. At this stage, he's no more than a serviceable, veteran backup arm, but that's something a team like the Cardinals could really use in mentoring young star Kyler Murray.

While Streveler is fighting to make the active roster for the second consecutive season, McCoy's motivation comes as proving that he is not washed up, a whole 11 years since he was drafted. These are two of the more underrated storylines in the 2021 preseason. With both quarterbacks out to prove their talent at opposite ends of their professional careers, this matchup against the nationally-recognized Chiefs could be a great time for each quarterback to step up and give the Cardinals a 2-0 record thus far in the preseason.

Final Chiefs-Cardinals Prediction & Pick

Arizona getting 2 points is such an intriguing pick here. I have this gut feeling that Colt McCoy comes up big against these Chiefs and makes a serious case for the Cardinals to keep him in Glendale as their backup. Chad Henne is technically in a similar situation as a veteran, but his roster spot is much more of a guarantee than McCoy's is. Simply put, the Cardinals backups have much more to play for here than the Chiefs, whose roster is more so set in stone already.

Expect the Cardinals to keep this game close throughout and end up with the win because of some McCoy late-game magic.

FINAL CHIEFS-CARDINALS PICK: Cardinals +2 (-110)