It’s not often that we get this big of a possible Super Bowl preview this close to the end of the season. On Sunday, it’s the current top seed in the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs, at the second seed in the NFC, the New Orleans Saints.
The Line: Chiefs (-3) at Saints
The Chiefs have won eight straight games and are perfect 7-0 on the road this season. The Saints are coming off an embarrassing loss to Philadelphia – their first loss since September – and have now played four games without Drew Brees under center.
When the schedule first came out, this was looking to be an exciting quarterback battle – the young gun, Patrick Mahomes, vs. the old guard, Brees. And on Friday, the Saints did confirm that Brees will be back from injury, so everyone can breathe a sigh of relief. It’s happening.
Kansas City Chiefs
It’s been 16 seasons since the NFL had a repeat Super Bowl champion. Then it was Tom Brady’s Patriots beating the Panthers and Eagles in consecutive seasons.
Andy Reid was the coach of that Eagles team that watched the repeat happen, and now he’s trying to do the same thing as the head coach in Kansas City.
The defending champs are the favorites to win in Tampa in February at +220. They have road wins against current playoff teams Tampa Bay, Miami, and Buffalo, and a road win at playoff contender Baltimore. A win over New Orleans and the only road wins over non-playoff teams would be inside their own division.
The formula is there: A quarterback playing like an MVP and incredible seasons from both Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce.
New Orleans Saints
As often as Brees’ lack of arm strength has been criticized, it’s become clear over the last couple of weeks that this offense still needs him. Taysom Hill has been good, playing better than many expected. But since he took over for the injured Brees, Hill has fumbled the ball six times, thrown two interceptions, and the offense has had its two worst showings of the season.
New Orleans has a great defense, ranked second overall in yards allowed. This defense is good enough to keep them in any game. But having a healthy Brees makes them an instant contender to beat the Chiefs and make a deep playoff run.
Chiefs Finally Cover
It’s amazing to say this about a team that is 12-1 overall and on a current eight-game win streak, but Kansas City hasn’t covered the spread in five straight games. The Chiefs keep winning, but they keep winning by one score.
Is this the week that changes? Yes.
Kansas City has played up or down to its competition. Going into Baltimore early in the season, they blew out the Ravens early. With a tough game in Miami and trailing by 10, the Chiefs scored 30 unanswered points. The same thing happened in the early going against Tampa Bay.
New Orleans and Brees pose another tough test, and the Chiefs will be focused. They will win in New Orleans by a touchdown.
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