Yes, there are NFL odds in preseason games and yes the Kansas City Chiefs are favored over the San Francisco 49ers on Friday night at Arrowhead Stadium. It's just the second preseason game on the schedule for the Chiefs but, hey, I'll take a 1.5 line on this game. When else are the Chiefs going to be favored over San Francisco?
The main story line in this game is obvious. It's Alex Smith. He was traded from the 49ers to the Chiefs earlier this year and he now faces his former team for the first time eight years after the 49ers made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.
There's another high draft pick facing his former team: Glenn Dorsey. The former No. 5 overall pick by the Chiefs returns to Kansas City to face his former team just like Alex Smith. The 49ers signed Dorsey to a contract earlier in the offseason.
Among the items to watch in this game is the Chiefs backup running back spot. With Jamaal Charles banged up -- he suffered a foot injury, but he's fine -- Knile Davis, Shaun Draughn and Cyrus Gray could see increased work. Only two of those three players may make the team so that makes this a very important game for them.
Also on the watch list for Friday night is Alex Smith and his receivers. He did not target any wide receivers in the Chiefs first preseason game against the New Orleans Saints last week -- just Dexter McCluster in the slot one time -- so we want to see if he can find Dwayne Bowe or Jon Baldwin.
Those are the big story lines. Now we wait for kickoff.
Find all the nuts and bolts for tonight's game below:
Game time: 7:00 p.m. (Arrowhead Time)
Location: Kansas City, Missouri, Arrowhead Stadium
TV: KCTV-5 (More listings)
Announcers: Paul Burmeister and Trent Green
Radio: 101.1 The Fox (Click listen live), Sirius 110 (Internet 815)
Odds: Chiefs favored by 1.5
Online streaming: NFL preseason live
Last time they played: Chiefs won, 31-10 (2010 Week 3)
Blogger Q&As: Niners Nation | Arrowhead Pride
Joint posts with Niners Nation: What concerns you about the Chiefs offense? | Which 49er would you take? | Which Chief would you take? | Rank these 49ers-turned-Chiefs QBs
Preseason history: 2-5
Regular season history: 5-6
Chiefs preseason schedule: 1. at New Orleans Saints (7 p.m., Aug. 9) | 2. San Francisco 49ers (7 p.m., Aug. 16) | 3. at Pittsburgh Steelers (6: 30 p.m., Aug. 24) | 4. Green Bay Packers (7 p.m., Aug. 29)
NFL Network replay: Saturday, 12 p.m. (Arrowhead Time)