Saints vs Chiefs Free Pick, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 10/7/24
- J.A. Cavalier
- Oct 7, 2024
- 3 min read
NEW ORLEANS @ KANSAS CITY (KC -6, 43.5)
NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS
SAINTS @ CHIEFS 10/7/24
The New Orleans Saints are tied for the biggest scoring margin in the NFL, while the Kansas City Chiefs have played four games that have all been decided by a single score. As these teams get ready to play each other Monday night in Kansas City, the Chiefs are 4-0 and the Saints are 2-2.
The Chiefs are two-time defending Super Bowl champions and consistently manage to win close games, while the Saints have dropped their last two games by blowing leads in the closing seconds.
Kansas City has persevered despite numerous injuries to important offensive skill players. RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire has not yet appeared in a game and has been on the non-football illness list the entire season so far. He did practice on Saturday but was graded as doubtful for Monday’s game.
In addition to wide receiver Rashee Rice, who suffered a knee injury in last week's 17-10 victory over the Chargers, wide receivers Hollywood Brown (back) and Isiah Pacheco (fibula) are also on injured reserve. Head coach Andy Reid realizes that he needs to fill some holes…and fast.
First round draft pick Xavier Worthy is averaging 17.1 yards per catch. Kansas City TE Travis Kelce is the team’s leading receiver. Patrick Mahomes also has WRs Justin Watson and JuJu Smith-Shuster. They are going to have to come through Monday and the rest of the season.
Since Mahomes started playing in 2018, the Chiefs' offense has been among the most productive in the NFL. This season, the Chiefs are only ranked 14th in both total offense (328.3 yards per game) and scoring offense (23 points per game). Nevertheless, they have produced enough to remain unbeaten, in part because they rank No. 7 in scoring defense (18.0).
In its first two games, New Orleans, which ranks first in scoring (31.8) and ninth in yards (349.0), dominated the Panthers 47-10 and the Cowboys 44-19.
However, two weeks ago, Philadelphia outscored the Saints 15–12. The Eagles drove 69 yards in five plays, scoring with 1:01 remaining in the game to grab the win. Last week, Atlanta drove to Younghoe Koo's game-winning 58-yard field goal with two seconds left, defeating New Orleans, which had scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:00 left. Atlanta won 26-24. The Saints could easily be 4-0 if a few things had fallen in their favor.
The Saints defense didn't give up a touchdown in the game against the Falcons, but they lost because of a string of errors that proved costly. A deflected Derek Carr pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown, Rashid Shaheed muffed a punt that Atlanta recovered in the end zone, and Paulson Adebo's 30-yard defensive pass interference penalty gave the Falcons all the yardage they needed for Koo's game-winning kick.
Five Saints players—tight end Taysom Hill (ribs), guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), center Shane Lemieux (ankle), linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (hand), and defensive end Payton Turner (knee)—four of whom were starters—were ruled out for Monday’s game.
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Coach Rick's Free Pick:
KAREEM HUNT OVER 48.5 RUSHING YARDS
With Clyde Edwards-Helaire being a non-factor and Isaiah Pacheco on injured reserve leaves Hunt as the guy. He got the most snaps last week and was particularly strong on early down runs. Hunt averaged 4.9 yards per carry (14 carries, 69 yards). If he sticks to his average, he only needs 7-8 carries and he should get more as he carries the load for the Chiefs. The Saints, on the other hand, have allowed opposing running backs to average 7.3 yards per rush over the last two weeks.
