The Pregame: Chiefs Host Packers in Preseason Finale

Aug 24, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver

(82) runs with the ball after a pass reception against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

VITALS

Time: 7 p.m.

TV: KCTV 5

Radio: 101.1 FM KCFX

Weather: Hot. Hot, hot, hot. Game time temperature is expected to be around 93-degrees with a heat index of around 100. Neat.

MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO

“How does that happen in the Denver secondary?”

THREE TO WATCH

1. Tyler Bray

This is (hopefully) the last we will see of Tyler Bray this season, so a good performance Thursday night will go a long way towards his standing with fans. But as we all know, the true test of Bray will be how he develops during the season behind closed doors. The film room needs to be his home.

Still, an extended look at Bray would give us a good indication of how he is progressing so far.

2. Travis Kelce

Kelce has been banged up this preseason, which has limited his chances to prove himself on the field. He is still battling injuries, and, with the injury to Tony Moeaki, the need for him to get healthy is paramount.

At the same time, Kelce hasn’t looked great in the few snaps he has seen, especially in the passing game. Drops have been an issues, and if the Chiefs are going to be an improved team on offense they will need Kelce to improve quickly.

3. Rico Richardson and Bradley McDougald

This is the last shot for both Richardson and McDougald, the two undrafted rookies with the best shot of making the team, to prove their worth. Richardson and McDougald can each fill holes at wide receiver and in the secondary if they can prove they can be consistent on the field. This is the last time time they can be the player the Chiefs need.

BEER OF THE GAME

Miller Lite.

Just as this is a terrible, dull football game that we’ll all watch because, hey, it’s football, Miller Lite is a terrible, dull beer that we all drink because, hey, it’s beer.

Also, Miller is a Wisconsin company and the Chiefs are playing the Packers, so it makes sense.

GAME PLAN

Get the starters out as soon as possible. There is no need for the core of the Chiefs roster to play more than one series. Kansas City needs to leave this game as health as possible, which is a luxury several NFL teams already do not have.

The Chiefs also need to figure out the back end of their roster. Can Rico Richardson and Bradley McDougald be valuable contributors to this team? Is there a player we are all missing on the Chiefs need to find a way to keep? Does a player like Toben Opurum show enough on Thursday night to prove he deserves a spot on the practice squad? These are the kind of questions the Chiefs need to have answers for after the game is over.

FANTASY FOOTBALL BREAKDOWN

Tonight is probably not going to be a good fantasy night. The backups will play quickly, and the starters are going to play a conservative brand of football. Although Green Bay’s Eddie Lacy and Jonathan Franklin may see a lot of carries.

There may be some sleepers who jump out at you while watching the game that you might want to take note of. But for the most part this is a pretty worthless game to make any serious judgements about a player.

GO CHIEFS!