Contrasting styles will be on display in this Week 7 interconference matchup when the pass-happy New Orleans Saints visit the Kansas City Chiefs. The Saints have shown signs of life with two straight wins following a three-game skid to open the season. They’ve topped the 30-point mark four times and have cashed the over each time with the total at or above 50. The Saints need all that offense because the defense continues to have problems stopping teams. Even the Chiefs could be in for a big day.
This matchup in Week 7 of the regular season will take place on Sunday, October 23, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
New Orleans Saints +7
Kansas City Chiefs -7
Over/Under 50.5
Odds Analysis
Four of the Saints’ five games have been decided by three or fewer points, so the current line of Kansas City -7 looks inviting to New Orleans backers, and it should. New Orleans has a potent attack that will keep them in any game. The over is getting plenty of action with 60 percent of wagers forcing an adjustment to the total, which has spiked to its current number after opening at 49. However, the Chiefs’ ground game and defense is perfect to cash the under.
Injury Report
Andrus Peat – The Saints starting left tackle exited the last game with a leg injury and didn’t return. Peat was filling in for Terron Armstead, who hasn’t played since Week 2 with a knee injury. The blind side protector if Peat and Armstead are unavailable will likely be veteran journeyman Tony Hills, which could cause some uncomfortable moments for Brees in the passing game.
Player to Watch
Very few players can single-handedly stall an opponent’s passing game. Kansas City’s Marcus Peters is one of those gifted athletes. The second-year cornerback tied for the NFL lead with eight picks last season and leads the league in 2016 with five. Peters is already one of if not the best player at his position, and solidified his status by joining some elite company in the NFL. In a Week 3 win over the Jets, Peters picked off two passes giving him a career total of 12 in his first 19 games. Since 1960, only five players managed to snare 12 interceptions in their first two seasons faster than Peters.
Peters has a unique ability to play different styles so no single opponent can create a mismatch in coverage. He challenges physical receivers with blanket press coverage, has the speed to close on the ball and, most importantly, has the hands to secure the pick once he gets the ball. Andy Reid said Peters has such good ball skills that he could “be a heck of a receiver.” Peters will try and create havoc for Drew Brees, who isn’t shy about putting the ball in the air, but he has thrown four interceptions in the last three games.
Free ATS Pick
If only the Saints could play defense they would be the talk of the NFL. At least Brees and the offense are doing their part, putting the Saints back in the playoff discussion after totaling 76 points in consecutive wins. But the Saints won those games by a combined four points, meaning they allowed 72, and that’s not good enough for long-term success in the NFL. Brees will continue to do his thing and shows no signs of slowing down at his advanced age. In fact, he’s seemingly gotten better with age and is having one of his finest seasons statistically. And while Brees remains upright, the Saints are a threat to score and beat anyone. Heck, they could be 4-1 after two close defeats to open the year.
The Chiefs came back strong after the bye and easily handled the Raiders, shutting down another explosive offense. But the good news for the Chiefs in that game was the play of the offense. Alex Smith was unstoppable, Spencer Ware controlled the clock with his running and K.C. welcomed back Jamaal Charles by amassing over 400 yards. It would have been a bigger blowout if the Chiefs hadn’t settled for field goals in three second-half red zone trips. The weather will be nicer than it was in Oakland and the Chiefs get a defense nearly as bad as the Raiders. The Chiefs will control the game on the ground and settling for three points will keep the teams below the total in what should be a close game.
NFL Odds: Chiefs 24, Saints 22
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