Seattle at Kansas City Preseason Week 1 Free Pick & Odds

Could Saturday’s preseason opener between Seattle and Kansas City be a preview of Super Bowl LI? It’s quite possible. Both these clubs were wild-card teams last year and won a playoff game on the road. I think Seattle will win a third NFC title in four years in 2016, and many consider Kansas City the favorite in the AFC West. The Chiefs are home favorites in online NFL betting here.

Analyzing the Seattle at Kansas City Preseason Week 1 Free Pick, Odds & TV Info

Start fast. Finish faster. #SeahawksCamp pic.twitter.com/3TZTZKSkj5

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 11, 2016

When: Saturday, Aug. 13, 4:30 PM ET Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City TV: NFL Network Stream: NFL.com Radio: Seattle / Kansas City Opening NFL Lines: Chiefs -2.5 (35.5)

Seattle vs Kansas City Historic Betting Trends

Since moving from the AFC to the NFC in 2002, the Seahawks have usually played an AFC-West heavy preseason schedule, and in fact played all four teams from that division last year. This marks the first time since 2010 that the Seahawks won’t face at least three AFC West teams in the preseason. In six seasons under Pete Carroll, the Seahawks have a 15-9 preseason record, including 4-0 in 2012 and 2013. Seattle has gone 2-2 in each of the past two preseasons. Last preseason, the Chiefs beat the Seahawks 14-13 in Kansas City. Alex Smith threw for 81 yards and a touchdown and also tossed an interception that was returned for a touchdown. Russell Wilson finished 9 of 15 for 78 yards.

Why Bet on Seattle?

One guy who now won’t see Saturday is Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed, who suffered an injury during one-on- one drills with offensive linemen on Wednesday. He was taken inside on a cart. It looked like the medical staff was working on his left leg, ankle or foot. Reed, a second-round pick, is in position to start as a rookie. Let’s hope it’s not serious. You also won’t see top running back Thomas Rawls. With Rawls returning to practice after eight months of ankle rehab, Carroll maintained that the team will proceed slowly and won’t rush him back. “We’re going to be careful,” coach Carroll said. “There’s no need to rush him at all. A very violent football player. He needs time to get ready to play the way he does, so we’re going to take however long that is. I don’t really have a schedule at this point.” Also out is tight end Jimmy Graham. The tight end began training camp on the physically unable to perform list after suffering a season-ending patellar tendon injury in Week 12. He practiced Wednesday but isn’t ready for game action. The recovery from a patellar tendon tear can sometimes take up to a year but Graham was back on the field in less than nine months. The Seahawks have consistently said that they expect Graham to be ready for the start of the regular season. Graham had 48 catches for 605 yards and two touchdowns when he was hurt. Receiver Doug Baldwin, who had been out the last week after having his Achilles stepped on in practice, was also back on the field Wednesday. He might play a little vs. K.C.

Why Bet on Kansas City?

The Chiefs won’t have top running back Jamaal Charles as he recovers from last season’s torn ACL. Charles underwent surgery last October to repair his torn right ACL and has yet to practice this training camp. “JC has been doing great,” backup Charcandrick West said this week. “He’s just getting better each and every day. Like I said, nobody’s worried about JC. He’s done this a lot, so he’s going to be ready.” In addition, Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry hasn’t appeared at camp yet after he and the Chiefs were unable to come to terms on a long-term contract agreement. Outside linebackers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali are recovering from injuries, with Houston’s torn ACL the most damaging. But general manager John Dorsey remained upbeat about all of them. Dorsey believes Berry, Charles and Hali will back in uniform for the season opener against the Chargers on Sept. 11. One guy you will see Friday is new backup QB Nick Foles, who was signed recently after being cut by the Rams. Smith will start at quarterback and Foles will be the first of the Chiefs’ backups to replace him. That reflects how things have gone in recent days at training camp, where Foles has received most of the second-team snaps. He has a familiarity with Coach Andy Reid’s offense, having played for him with the Philadelphia Eagles as a rookie in 2012. “I’m getting more comfortable every day, getting back in the swing of things,” Foles said. “That’s the big thing. It’s been a while since I’ve had reps so it’s good to be out here getting to know my teammates and learning how everyone runs their routes.”

My Free Pick

Lean Chiefs at home, as you should most teams when betting the NFL preseason.