This Saturday afternoon, the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs will begin their NFL preseason campaigns at Arrowhead Stadium under blistering heat. With high temperatures expected to be in the mid-90s by kickoff, both teams will need to ensure their players are properly hydrated throughout the four-quarter contest.
Look for both teams to go deep into their depth charts in an effort to spell key positions as often as possible (given the heat). Star quarterbacks Matt Stafford (Rams) and Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) are both confirmed to be OUT for Saturday’s matchup in Kansas City.
NFL prediction markets are forecasting that the Chiefs have a 55% chance to win their first preseason game against the Rams. Much of this is due to Los Angeles committing to sitting their star defensive player, Myles Garrett, on the bench for all or most of the game. Quarterback Matt Stafford, along with wide receivers Davante Adams and Puka Nacua, will likewise sit out for the Rams. Instead, Los Angeles will start either Stetson Bennett or Ty Simpson, who are competing for the “QB2” slot on the team’s depth chart.
Patrick Mahomes is still recovering from an injury he sustained late last year and will be on the Kansas City bench, but that won’t impact the Kalshi “winner” market much since wide receiver Xavier Worthy is expected to receive passes from Justin Fields on Saturday.
If you’re trading alongside our own predictions, then we like the Kansas City Chiefs at 56¢ per contract to come out on top this Saturday. The team’s bubble players will be performing in front of a home crowd (even if the stadium won’t be filled) and head coach Andy Reid is experienced enough to maintain a full-throttle approach to player substitutions.
The elements will play a major role Saturday by provoking frequent substitutions for both teams. Look for multiple illegal procedure or illegal substitution penalties that could extend to “too many players on the field” as tired players take too long to reach the sidelines before snaps.
Preseason conditioning will be at a premium for bubble players who are actually competing for a roster spot. Each NFL team has until August 30th to complete its mandatory 53-player roster. It’s unfortunate that more NFL stadiums aren’t “domed,” as Arrowhead Stadium’s dry natural grass on Saturday could lead to a greater risk for lower-body injuries.
Kalshi traders have only put in $31,000 in total trading volume for the winner of the Rams vs. Chiefs preseason matchup. That number will likely spike to six figures once Thursday’s six preseason games have concluded.
A major announcement by either team could significantly impact the markets, which is why we recommend keeping a close eye on any news related to players’ starting status and injuries to ensure traders stay ahead of market shifts.
The Rams vs. Chiefs preseason game will be televised on the NFL Network. However, individuals who are located in the Los Angeles and Kansas City areas will need to tune in to local coverage of the action instead due to the media blackout on impacted markets.
Loading …
