Cardinals vs. Chiefs final score: Starters great, but backups struggle in 34-19 loss

Football is fresh upon us, and the Arizona Cardinals opened the preseason with a loss to the visiting Kansas City Chiefs, final score 19 -34. Even though the Cards ended up with a loss, Saturday night's game wasn't a doom and gloom performance.

As I noted above, even with tonight's loss, this was not a doom and gloom game. Looking at it as a test drive, Carson Palmer and the 1st team offense looked good moving the ball through the air. Palmer went 4/4 including a gem of a pass to Andre Ellington who, freshly returned from injury flashed in limited time catching the ball out of the backfield. What I do need to see more of is the 1st team offenses' ability to run the football. The left side of the offensive line has touted themselves as maulers who like to get physical and blow their men up, but Jared Veldheer and Mike Iupati didn't get the push I was hoping for.

1st string defense took the fight to the Chiefs, pressuring Alex Smith, forcing an interception that Tyrann Mathieu came down with. They also played very stingy against the run, with Deone Bucannon stuffing one try up the middle and providing the pressure that led to the interception.

Another plus was the play of Logan Thomas and Phillip Sims, both showing flashes of potential, avoiding sacks with their legs and showing off excellent touch and arm strength.

What does concern me is the lack of sacks on the opposing quarterback, although the Cards did manage to get pressure. That combined with the lack of run stop ability as the defense depth was subbed in is also a worrisome sight.

Let's see what Coach Arians and the Cards take from tonight's performance into practice and next week's preseason game against the San Diego Chargers.

Until next week, be safe Birdgang, it's hot outside.