The Kansas City Chiefs have won eight games in a row as they head to the Big Easy for a late-afternoon tilt with the New Orleans Saints. However, those last five wins have come by a combined 21 points, including a 33-27 squeaker over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
In that game, the Dolphins actually went up, 10-0, before the Chiefs ran off 30 unanswered points. Then the Chiefs’ defense relaxed, and the Dolphins made things interesting, as part of a trend that has Kansas City fans nervous.
The Saints saw a nine-game winning streak come to an unexpected end in Philadelphia against the Eagles, losing 24-21, in Jalen Hurts’ debut at quarterback for Philly. The Saints could definitely use Drew Brees back at the controls of the offense, but he still lacks a firm timetable for his return.
Check out our thoughts about this possible Super Bowl preview.
Kansas City at New Orleans (Sunday, December 20)
When: Sunday, December 20, 2020, 8:20 pm ET
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans
TV: NBC
Radio: Westwood One
JAZZ Sports Odds: Chiefs -3 / Total 53.5*
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Why the Chiefs Will Win
Kansas City got 393 yards and two touchdowns out of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but he also threw three interceptions on an uncharacteristically poor day for ball security. Travis Kelce had another huge day at tight end, catching eight passes for 136 yards and a score. Once again the running game struggled, as Clyde Edwards-Helaire led the team – with just 32 yards on 16 attempts.
Kansas City has not covered a spread in five straight games, so even though their historical trend involves covering five of their last eight December games, they are struggling to put teams away right now.
Part of it has to do with each of their opponents playing their hardest against the defending Super Bowl champions, but that defense and that running game need to find ways to build consistency.
Why the Saints Will Win
The Saints’ loss in Philadelphia can’t be put on backup quarterback Taysom Hill, as he threw for 291 yards with two scores and an interception. Michael Thomas caught eight passes for 84 yards, and Alvin Kamara ran the ball 11 times for 50 yards and a touchdown.
The problem for the Saints is that they could not get stops when they needed them, and their offensive line did not give Hill enough time in the pocket, leading to several sacks that stopped potential scoring drives. Those aren’t problems that Brees’ return would necessarily solve.
However, having their starting quarterback return would boost the entire team’s confidence. If you like the Saints, you see them rebounding from the loss and taking care of business at home.
The Final Word
I picked Miami last week, because Kansas City has been a ticking time bomb in terms of letting opponents hang around way too long. If the Chiefs don’t finish games better, they won’t have a chance to defend their Super Bowl title, because they won’t make it that far in the playoffs. I like the Saints to cover at home on Sunday.
The Dart Throw: Saints 42, Chiefs 38
*Odds are subject to change.
Next up:
Kansas City home to Atlanta Sunday, December 27
New Orleans home to Minnesota Friday, December 25
Kansas City Chiefs vs New Orleans Saints Betting Odds & Trends
| New Orleans Saints |
|---|
| New Orleans is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games |
| New Orleans is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games |
| The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans’s last 6 games |
| New Orleans is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home |
| The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Orleans’s last 6 games at home |
| New Orleans is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Kansas City |
| The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Orleans’s last 5 games when playing Kansas City |
| Kansas City Chiefs |
|---|
| Kansas City is 15-7 ATS in its last 22 games |
| Kansas City is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games |
| Kansas City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games |
| Kansas City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road |
| The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Kansas City’s last 10 games on the road |
| Kansas City is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing New Orleans |
| The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City’s last 5 games when playing New Orleans |
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