The Kansas City Chiefs will open up their 2013 NFL preseason campaign on the road as they face the New Orleans Saints in an pro football exhibition game scheduled for Friday night.
Kick off time from New Orleans is scheduled for 8PM Eastern Time with live television coverage only in the New Orleans and Kansas City markets.
The betting odds from this week one NFL preseason game have the home side New Orleans Saints favored by -3 points with an over under line of 36 ½ points. A money line wager on the favored New Orleans Saints will return -155 odds with the return on the road underdog Kansas City Chiefs at +135 odds to win straight up with no need for points on their side.
In week one of preseason first string players usually sees a few series so coaches can evaluate their full roster. Alex Smith acquired via trade from the San Francisco 49ers figures to play a few series in his debut with the club. The backups are veterans Chase Daniel and Ricky Stanzi. Rookie Tyler Bray out of Tennessee should see action late.
Running back Jamaal Charles returns for a sixth season. Seeing time will be young backs Shaun Draughn, Cryus Gray and Anthony Sherman. Rookies Knile Davis out of Arkansas and Jordon Roberts from Charleston will compete for carries. Head coach Andy Reid makes his debut with the Chiefs. Reid inherits 2-14 team from a season ago. The club was self-destructive with turnovers in 2012. Offensive improvement is needed as the club has put up 13 points per game over the past two seasons. In the draft the first three players chosen came on the offensive side of the football.
Drew Brees returns under center for the Saints and will see limited action. The backups are ten year veterans Seneca Wallace and Luke McCown. Rookie Ryan Griffin from Tulane expects to see action late in the fourth quarter.
The Saints are loaded at the running back position with a three man rotation of Mark Ingram, Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas. Rookie Khiry Robinson and second year man Travaris Cadet will vie for time in the backfield. Head coach Sean Payton returns from a season long suspension. The offense slipped a bit as the club averaged 29 points per game down six points from the 2012 year. The defense a season ago was atrocious as the club allowed 28 points and 440 yards per game. Former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan tries to right the ship for the Saints.
