The Kansas City Chiefs will begin their rebound journey from the worst record in the NFL last year with their exhibition opener versus the New Orleans Saints. But, it’s not like the Chiefs were the only one with problems in 2012 – the Saints struggled without head coach Sean Payton, and both clubs will try to put it all behind with a fresh start in 2013.
- When:
Fri., Aug. 9th, 2013 @ 8:00pm ET
- Where:
MB Superdome, New Orleans, LA
- Who’s Favored?
Saints by 3 ~ 36.5 o/u @ BetOnline
- More Info:
With the worst record in the NFL the Chiefs were able to draft LT Eric Fisher out of Central Michigan with the No.1 overall selection in the 2013 draft. It was a pick that they badly needed – new QB Alex Smith, who Kansas City acquired in the offseason, isn’t going to be able to throw touchdown passes while laying on his back.
Also making his debut on the sidelines will be new head coach Andy Reid. The veteran coach comes over after being released by the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason.
Alex Smith and Andy Reid embark on this journey of the first season together with plenty to prove. It will be interesting to watch this dynamic going forward.
In New Orleans, it has been a relatively typical offseason with the exception of head coach Sean Payton back at the helm – Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season for his role in the bounty-gate scandal. His re-introduction is said to have re-energized and provided a spark for the team… a spark this team didn’t have even with QB Drew Brees running the offense.
The real problem for the Saints in 2012 was their defense.
Ranking second-to-last (31st) in the league against the pass in 2012 and dead-last (32nd) against the run is just about as bad as it can get. In fact, it was evident pretty early on when RGIII (then making his first career start) trashed the Saints’ defense.
At that level, a defense can only improve right? If they hope to reclaim the NFC South title, they’re going to need it versus explosive division rivals like the Falcons, and other rivals that have explosive players like Panthers’ QB Cam Newton and the Buccaneers’ RB Doug Martin to name a few.