NFL Preseason Picks: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Thursday, 8/7/14, 8:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Kansas City -2.5
Current Betting Line: Kansas City -2
Opening Total: 35.5
Current Total: 35.5
Odds Courtesy of 5Dimes

Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton signed a contract extension earlier this week

Cincinnati has put together three straight playoff seasons, but it has no wins to show for it, which is important to consider when making your Week 1 NFL picks in this preseason matchup. Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is one of five players to have led his team to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons at the position, as he begins life under a new contract that was signed just a few days ago. He’s got weapons all over the field, with the biggest one being wide receiver A.J. Green. It’s important to point out that the franchise has dropped all seven prior meetings between these two teams during exhibition play.

The Bengals and Chiefs not only had the same record at 11-5 last season, but they also posted the same numbers in points scored (430) and points allowed (305), which can’t be ignored when looking over the NFL betting odds. Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis is 1-1 versus Kansas City Chiefs front man Andy Reid during preseason play, while he’s compiled a 2-0-1 mark during regular season action.

Kansas City finished 2013 with an 11-5 record in Reid’s first year on the job, as the team’s ball control approach led to a plus-18 turnover differential, which ranked second in all of football. The Chiefs led the NFL in average starting field position, while also sitting atop the category in average opponent starting field position. Reid has already mentioned that each of his four quarterbacks will play a single quarter in this affair, with veteran Alex Smith leading the way.

The Chiefs have really struggled in this situation in recent years, as they’ve gone 2-14 ATS in their last 16 preseason games, while Reid’s teams are 1-8-1 ATS in the opening game in that situation. Kansas City will be difficult to back until things get going for real, as it has already stated its intentions of keeping star running back Jamaal Charles healthy, as he’s averaged 5.58 yards per carry over the course of his career.