Chiefs at Cardinals 2021: game time, TV schedule and how to watch live online

The Game

In the 2021 preseason’s second week, the Kansas City Chiefs travel to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to face the Arizona Cardinals. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Arrowhead Time). The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN — locally on KMBC/9.

In 2020, the Chiefs turned in a 14-2 record — the best in franchise history — to win their fifth consecutive AFC West crown and earn the AFC’s top postseason seed. They advanced to their second consecutive Super Bowl appearance with postseason wins against the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills, only to fall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the championship game.

The Cardinals finished third in the NFC West with an 8-8 record, missing the playoffs after losing five of their last seven games.

In the offseason, the Chiefs concentrated on rebuilding their offensive line. In their 19-16 win against the San Francisco 49ers in the preseason opener, none of the five starters on the line — including rookies Creed Humprhey, Trey Smith and Lucas Niang — played for the Chiefs in 2020. Along with veteran acquisitions Orlando Brown Jr. and Joe Thuney, they are expected to be the starters when the season begins.

Against the Cardinals — who also won their preseason opener 19-16, but against the Dallas Cowboys — the Chiefs are expected to play their starters (including star quarterback Patrick Mahomes) through the first half. But if the team plays well to open the game, head coach Andy Reid could easily decide to begin deferring to backups sometime during the second quarter. Even though the starters stayed in for a full quarter against the 49ers last weekend, Mahomes sat down after only one series — so on Friday night, Reid might once again sit Mahomes early.

It’s not clear how long Arizona’s starters will play. “We’re going to do what we think is best for us — and they’ll do what they think is best for them,” third-year Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters on Wednesday. But starting quarterback Kyler Murray is expected to play in at least the first drive or two.

Other Cardinals players to watch include rookies like wide receiver Rondale Moore and Marco Wilson — along with second-year linebacker Isaiah Simmons. Wide receiver Greg Dortch hopes to make the Cardinals after practice-squad stints with no fewer than four NFL teams — and two games with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020. 34-year-old defensive end Margus Hunt is also hoping to make the team. He recently signed with the Cardinals following a return to the Cincinnati Bengals last season, playing well against the Cowboys last week.

Nuts and bolts

Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Playing surface: Natural grass

Game time: 7 p.m. Arrowhead Time, Friday, August 20, 2021

Weather forecast: Domed stadium — but sunny and 94 outside

Matchup history: 9-3-1 Chiefs (regular season)

Odds: Chiefs -3

Officials: Referee Ron Torbert (62), umpire Mark Pellis (131), down judge Kevin Codey (16), line judge Mark Steinkerchner (84), field judge Ryan Dickson (25), side judge Keith Washington (7), back judge Tony Josselyn (67), replay official Saleem Choudhry and replay assistant Chad Adams.

Television broadcast: with Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick and Lisa Salters on ESPN nationwide — locally on KMBC (ABC/9-Kansas City) and KSAZ (Fox/10-Phoenix)

NFL Network Replay: 10:30 p.m. Friday, 3:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. Saturday (Arrowhead Time)

Online Stream: Fubo.TV

Chiefs radio broadcast: with Mitch Holthus, Danan Hughes and Josh Klingler on WDAF (106.5 FM-Kansas City) and Chiefs Radio Network affiliates

Chiefs Spanish radio broadcast: with Enrique Morales, Oscar Monterroso and Hannah Bassham on KPRS (103.3 FM-Kansas City)

Cardinals radio broadcast: with Dave Pasch, Ron Wolfley and Paul Calvisi on KMVP (98.7 FM-Phoenix)

Enemy SB Nation site: Revenge of the Birds

Twitter: Arrowhead Pride

Facebook: Please like us!