Chiefs vs. Cardinals Week 1 NFL Picks: Arizona Will Miss Hopkins in Season Opener

The Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs are playing each other in the NFL's season opener in 2021. Arizona started the season 7-0 for the first time since 1974, but it went 5-6 over the final 11 games. Kansas State was three quarters away from the Super Bowl in 2011, and it lost a 21-3 first-half lead at home during the AFC Championship Game.

The Chiefs are the favorite against the Cardinals. Kansas City has attracted 64% of the bets and 62% the handle. The total has fluctuated between 53 and 53.5.

Chiefs vs. Cardinals is the season opener.

Chiefs are the favorites against Cardinals at 5.5 in the season opener. Arizona's offense will be without star receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The Chiefs are playing their first game since the departure of Tyreek Hill. They are also without Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mecole Hardman, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. They also have to replace the receiving talents of Hill and Travis Kelce. Chiefs won't be as effective without Hill, who caught 198 receptions, 2,515 receiving yards, and 24 touchdowns last season.

The Cardinals' big-play ability was affected without Hopkins in 2021. Murray's time in the pocket decreased by .04 seconds and he completed 3.6% fewer throws of 20-plus yards. Hopkins' absence is felt most in red zone.

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Chiefs and Cardinals play each other in the season opener on 9/9/2022 at 10:08 a.m. ET.