With one last tune-up set for Friday night, the Kansas City Chiefs will use their final exhibition game to give their third-string quarterback some big-time work. Garrett Nussmeier will take all the snaps against the Seattle Seahawks, who will likely rest most of their starters.
It’s hard to have any expectations for the final preseason game, but it sure would be nice if the Kansas City Chiefs won to head into the regular season with a little momentum. They haven’t won an August game in forever. In fact, the last time they did win, I was in attendance. Well, I’ll be there Friday, so perhaps I’m the lucky charm!
This final leg is a big one for the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s clear to me that Head Coach Andy Reid already has his 53-man roster laid out. I wrote my roster predictions earlier in the week, before the trade for New York Giants offensive lineman Josh Ezeudu.
Tonight, only a few players are worth watching. Though I’m excited about Garrett Nussmeier, running back Emmitt Johnson, and the continued evolution of rookie receiver Cyrus Allen, I’m most excited about defenders R Mason Thomas and Peter Woods.
They are the wild cards for the defense, and if they can adapt quickly to the NFL pace and handle the expectations of playing with a Super Bowl contender, they are the keys to unlocking the Chiefs’ revamped defense’s potential.
So, who else needs to make a statement on Friday night?
Felix Anudike-Uzoma has been the surprise of training camp. His massive sack last Saturday in Tampa was a welcome sight for a player who’s barely been on the field in three NFL seasons. If he can continue trending upward, the Chiefs’ sack numbers could rise.
Khalil Benson gets a rare opportunity to play left tackle tonight. I have to admit I don’t like the Chiefs bouncing him around from right tackle to right guard and now to left tackle, but I guess it is the preseason, so let’s see what he can do. With injuries to Josh Simmons and Trey Smith, Benson appears to be the solution if they can’t play in the season opener.
Brashard Smith is in a battle to become the primary return man. His battle with Nikko Remigio, who I don’t think will make the final roster cut, looms as a major item for Special Teams Coach Dave Taub. Smith is prime depth at the running back position, and he needs to make his roster bones with a big performance tonight returning punts and kicks.
Andrew Armstrong has been brilliant throughout camp and in two preseason games. He’s tall and fast, and he’s a man on a mission when it comes to blocking. He can stretch the field, and I’d like to see a big game from him against Seattle. For me, he’s the reason the Chiefs let Remigio go, and he’s honestly a better receiver.
Jake Briningstool is the future, but for now he has a first-ballot Hall of Famer in front of him. Though he’s listed as the fourth tight end, behind Kelce, Noah Gray, and Jared Wiley, Briningstool is hands down better than #2 and #3 on that chart. He was a man-child against Tampa, and I expect a big game from him tonight.
