The Kansas City Chiefs will host the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. EDT. This Week 5 matchup features two teams heading in different directions. The Chiefs are 4-0, while the Saints, at 2-2, look to avoid a third straight loss.
Kansas City has leaned on its defense so far this season, but offensive injuries keep piling up. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Rashee Rice, and Isiah Pacheco are all on injured reserve. Patrick Mahomes is now without his two top receiving targets and his main running back. Despite this, the Chiefs’ defense has been dominant, allowing fewer than 20 points in three of their first four games.
On the other side, New Orleans started the season with two decisive wins but has since struggled to close out games. Derek Carr has played well, but the Saints have faltered late in games, dropping two straight. They’ll need to get back to their early-season form and improve in late-game moments if they hope to steal a game on the road against the defending Super Bowl champions.
Game/Team Matchup Info
The Kansas City Chiefs will look to remain perfect on the season despite key injuries on offense. The Chiefs have shown resilience in tight games this season. In Week 1, they won on a last-second play against the Ravens. In Week 2, Harrison Butker’s field goal sealed a victory over the Bengals. Every game has come down to the final minutes, with the Chiefs winning by a touchdown or less.
In recent weeks, the Saints have struggled to close out games, especially in the fourth quarter. They surrendered leads late in the game in their last two outings, with both losses decided in the final minutes. Alvin Kamara continues to produce on offense for the Saints, but his efforts have been overshadowed by the team’s inability to contain opponents in crunch time.
According to ESPN, the Kansas City Chiefs are favored by 5.5 points, with an over/under of 43.5. While Kansas City’s defense has proven effective in slowing down opponents, New Orleans’ defense is no slouch either. Led by Cam Jordan and Marshon Lattimore, the Saints rank 7th in rushing defense and 6th in scoring defense, showcasing their ability to slow down the run while capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes.
Offensive Challenges for the Kansas City Chiefs
Injuries have hit Kansas City’s offense hard, especially at wide receiver. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Rashee Rice are both sidelined, forcing Mahomes to find new playmakers. While Travis Kelce will likely now become the focal point offensively, there’s added pressure on the supporting cast like Juju-Smith Schuster and Justin Watson to step up and deliver, especially with the Saints’ defense capable of shutting down high-powered offenses.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ running game, previously led by Isiah Pacheco, is now headlined by Kareem Hunt. Last week, Hunt, in his first game back in Kansas City, had 14 carries for 69 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Also, expect to see Samaje Perine contribute; as for Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who returned to practice this week, he was listed as doubtful on the injury report as of Saturday. However, head coach Andy Reid said, “He had a good week of practice.” So, in all likelihood, he’ll be back in the lineup after the Chiefs’ bye week next week, barring any additional setbacks.
Rookie receiver Xavier Worthy should also play a larger role this week. Worthy’s speed and ability to stretch the field will give the Kansas City Chiefs an edge against the Saints’ secondary. However, with limited receiving options, the Chiefs may need to rely on Andy Reid’s creative play-calling to score, especially in the red zone which has been an area of struggle for the Chiefs so far this season.
Saints Looking to Bounce Back
The Saints come into this game eager to break their losing streak. Led by veteran quarterback Derek Carr, New Orleans’ offense has shown flashes of brilliance but hasn’t been consistent. Carr, in his second year with the Saints, needs to regain his early season form to overcome the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense.
New Orleans’ offense scored 91 points in the first two weeks but just 36 in the last two. To get back on track, they’ll need to establish the run with Alvin Kamara. Kamara’s versatility opens things up for receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, who have over 250 receiving yards and three out of four games with over 70 receiving yards each this season.
Defensively, New Orleans is led by Cam Jordan and Marshon Lattimore. Jordan brings pressure, while Lattimore’s coverage will be key in slowing down Mahomes’ top targets. The Saints will need to replicate their defensive success from the first two games, where they allowed fewer than 20 points, if they hope to come out with the win in this game.
Players To Watch for the Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes is the Chiefs offensive player to watch this week. Despite missing key receivers, Mahomes’ ability to improvise and extend plays has kept the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense afloat. However, this season hasn’t started ideally for him or the offense. Mahomes has six touchdowns and five interceptions in four games. With more injuries on offense, if there was any week for Mahomes to turn on some of his magic and lead his team to victory, this would certainly be a great time to showcase it.
On defense, Drue Tranquill is the player to watch. He had a season-high ten tackles in last week’s win but has struggled in coverage, according to PFF. Tranquill has been rated the worst or second-worst coverage defender in the last three weeks, and with Alvin Kamara as a dual-threat running back, this is the week for Drue Tranquill to step up and regain his form from a season ago.
Players To Watch for New Orleans
Alvin Kamara is the Saints offensive player to watch and also happens to be the engine of their offensive attack. His versatility is key for the Saints, and so far this season, he has rushed for at least 75 yards in all four games, with three 40-plus yard receiving performances. This week, he’ll face a Chiefs’ defense that has allowed minimal yardage to running backs so far this season.
On defense, Marshon Lattimore is the player to watch. He’ll likely cover Travis Kelce, Mahomes’ most trusted target. Lattimore has had a slow start to the season, with just nine total tackles and one pass breakup. However, he has a reputation for shutting down elite players, and Kelce is as much of a challenge as anyone to try and shut down.
Final Thoughts
Even though the Kansas City Chiefs are favorites, the Saints are hungry to end their losing streak. Both teams need to overcome injuries, and the Saints must fix their late-game execution, while the Chiefs need to find a way to spark their offense.
The game will likely be decided by who executes better in the final minutes. Kansas City has been able to close games better than any team this season, while the Saints have struggled. However, a few key defensive plays for New Orleans against a turnover-prone Kansas City Chiefs team could easily swing this game in their favor as long as they can avoid the collapses that have plagued them recently.
For More Great Content
Craving top-tier content that covers it all? From electrifying sports highlights and insider entertainment news to expert gaming tips and sharp betting advice, we’ve got you covered. Dive into our curated articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the lowdown on gaming strategies that could level up your play.Plus, our betting advice will sharpen your edge and boost your chances of winning big. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, our content is your go-to source for all things exciting and relevant. Don’t miss out—explore now and power up your knowledge! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports, to stay informed.
