It is a Show Me State showdown tonight as the Kansas City Chiefs square off against in-state rival St. Louis at the Edward Jones Dome (8:00pm ET start time). The latest NFL Preseason Kansas City Chiefs at St. Louis Rams Odds have Romeo Crennel’s squad listed as a -1 against the spread road favorite. The game total in this evening’s exhibition battle is set at 36.5 points.
Kansas City looked like an ill prepared, sloppy mess of team in the preseason under former head coach Todd Haley. That was never more evident than last season when the Chiefs posted a 0-4 exhibition record, an unenviable run which the team parlayed into a 0-3 start to the regular season. New head coach Romeo Crennel, who served as Haley’s defensive coordinator, apparently took note of whatever his predecessor was doing wrong and made it a point to correct it.
Crennel’s Chiefs came out swinging in last week’s preseason opener against the Cardinals, and they landed several big shots early in the skirmish. KC jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead as Matt Cassel completed 5-of-6 passes for 67 yards and one touchdown and newcomer Peyton Hillis rambled for 41 yards on four carries. The Chiefs ultimately won the game 27-17, giving them just their second win in their last 13 preseason games.
Kansas City also saw positive results from running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry. Both players missed nearly all of last season with torn ACLs, but they took the field against Arizona. Charles gained 12 yards on four carries and Berry recorded one tackle in two defensive series.
Unfortunately for St. Louis, its preseason opener produced few positives. The Rams were dominated in Indianapolis, falling 38-3 to the Colts after giving up 23 first downs and 430 yards. Andrew Luck shredded St. Louis’ defense, throwing for 188 yards and two touchdowns in his NFL debut.
The Rams offense did not perform much better, producing 215 total yards, a 2.8 yards per carry average, and two turnovers in the blowout loss. Sam Bradford connected on 7-of-9 passes for 57 yards leading the first team unit, but he failed to engineer a scoring drive in his limited action.
Game Notes: The Rams are 3-2 in their last five preseason meetings with the Chiefs; the average game score in those five contests was a paltry 25.8 points.
Free Pick: Take the Under 36.5 in tonight’s game.
NFL Preseason Kansas City Chiefs at St. Louis Rams Odds:
Kansas City Chiefs -1 (-110), Over 36.5 (-110)
St. Louis Rams +1 (-110), Under 36.5 (-110)
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