The undefeated and injury-riddled Chiefs host the 2-2 New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football this week. Without Rashee Rice and Isiah Pacheco, expect Travis Kelce to serve as the focal point of this offense, while Alvin Kamara should still produce through the air for Derek Carr and the Saints.
With Pacheco and Rashee Rice out of this ball game, Patrick Mahomes will have to make some Mahomes-magic happen in order to come out with a victory in Kansas City.
With that being said, these plays will most likely come through the air instead of on the ground. First of all, Mahomes has only hit this mark in one of three games this season. Secondly, in the four games Pacheco missed over the last two seasons, Mahomes hasn’t reached the 19-yard rush prop in every game.
Defenses are pouncing against the run and with the Saints' solid linebackers, it would be surprising if Mahomes gets a few big gains through the ground.
With Rashee Rice out for the first time this season, Travis Kelce must return to his old form in order for this Chiefs offense to continue rolling. Last week after Rice’s exit, Travis finished with 7 catches for 89 yards in which we saw shades of the old TE1.
Against New Orleans who allowed 10 catches for 170 yards to Dallas Goedert just two weeks ago, I’m looking for a vintage Kelce game in which he’ll continue to serve as Mahomes’ favorite target.
In the red zone especially, Kelce should be a focal point for Reid’s offense without Pacheco and Rice.
With Rashee Rice out for the season, the Chiefs offense will ask a lot of the rookie wideout from Texas, Xavier Worthy. Through four games, Worthy has scored twice on 9 catches for 154 yards while showcasing his breakaway speed.
With that being said, the Saints' defense will key in on Worthy in his first game as the WR1 throwing Marshon Lattimore and other veteran players on him ensuring Mahomes doesn’t go his way.
Worthy hasn’t reached the 4-catch mark in any game this season. The under is the way to go here.
Alvin Kamara has had one of the best starts to the season in his career, totaling over 500 total yards and 6 scores already. In 2023, he finished with 6 total touchdowns and this season he’s scored 6 in just four outings.
His incredible play has been showcased not only on the ground but also through the air where he has gone for 30 or more yards in three of four games including in three straight.
With the Chiefs' defense always bringing the heat on 3rd downs, look for some Carr to Kamara dump downs that result in big gains. Look for a nice night for Kamara, despite his broken ribs.
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Aaron White graduated from Northwestern University with a B.A. in Economics. His industry experience includes projects for the Chicago Cubs, The Sporting News, and QL Gaming Group. He covers the NFL and NBA for EatWatchBet.