Get ready for Monday Night Football! Check out the odds and top picks for the New Orleans Saints vs. Kansas City Chiefs matchup. Join the excitement!
The Kansas City Chiefs have the longest winning streak in the NFL and are one of two remaining undefeated teams. Kansas City is once again the favorite to win the Super Bowl per the NFL futures odds, but the Chiefs have not dominated opponents so far this season. Although they are 4-0, they are just +20 in point differential, and they could easily be 2-2 or worse as they trailed at halftime in each of their last three games. That has led to sharps backing the New Orleans Saints in their Monday Night Football showdown.
Week 5 New Orleans Saints at Kansas City Chiefs
New Orleans Saints +5.5
Kansas City Chiefs -5.5
Total 43
We have seen no movement from where this line originated on Sunday night. However, the total dropped two points from what it was projected to be last week as Kansas City will be without yet another playmaker. Additionally, New Orleans’ offense has fallen back down to Earth after a red hot start to the season in its first two games.
New Orleans Saints Overview
We saw New Orleans put 91 points on the board in its first two games this season. The Saints were clicking on all cylinders, but they have struggled in losses to Philadelphia and Atlanta the last two weeks, scoring a combined 36 points in those two tilts.
The main reason for the collapse has been the performance of the offensive line. Alvin Kamara was finding plenty of running room in his first two outings, and that allowed Derek Carr to beat opposing secondaries off play action. However, the lack of a solid run game has stymied Carr’s ability to beat defenses over the top.
Kamara ran for 198 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 5.7 YPC, in the first two games of the season. He has carried the rock more often the last two weeks, but he has been less productive, averaging just 3.6 YPC with just a single touchdown.
It has been a pronounced drop for Carr too. The veteran quarterback completed 30 of 39 passes for 443 yards with five touchdowns and one interception in New Orleans’ two wins. However, he has completed 42 of 61 passes for just 381 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in losses the last two weeks. We could see more issues this time too as three starting offensive linemen (along with Kamara) are listed as questionable to suit up on Monday night.
The Saints’ defense has been the epitome of bend but don’t break through four games. They are allowing 17.5 PPG (6th in the NFL), but they tank in the bottom half of the league in total defense and yards per play allowed. New Orleans has tightened up in the red zone with opponents scoring touchdowns on just 22.2% of their trips.
Kansas City Chiefs Overview
How much longer can Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs continue to pull rabbits out of their hats? Kansas City is completely lacking playmakers on offense with Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire both sidelined long-term, and top receivers Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown are both on injured reserve. That puts a lot of pressure on rookie Xavier Worthy and second-year receiver Skyy Moore to give Mahomes options in the passing game.
The story for the Chiefs so far this season has been their defense. Kansas City is often overlooked on that side of the ball, but it’s been the defense that has really carried the Chiefs through the first month. While the offense ranks in the middle of the pack in PPG and YPG, the Chiefs rank seventh in scoring defense. The front seven has been great, allowing just 3.8 YPC, as Chris Jones continues to be a powerful force.
Monday Night Football Prediction
The under and the Saints are the plays to make in this game. I don’t see a lot of points scored here, so this is one of the few instances where a parlay might be in order. New Orleans can keep it within the number given Kansas City’s numerous issues on offense early on this year.
Final Score: Kansas City 19, New Orleans 17
