Opening Spread in Chiefs vs Saints Week 15 Favors Kansas City by 3.5 Points
By Robert Duff in NFL Football
Published:
- The Kansas City Chiefs open as 3.5-point road favorites over the New Orleans Saints in a Week 15 matchup
- Kansas City (12-1) is the AFC’s top seed. New Orleans (10-3) are the #2 seed in the NFC
- Both teams have already clinched playoff spots
As the Kansas City Chiefs visit the New Orleans Saints in a significant NFL Week 15 contest, there will be an obvious question on everyone’s mind – is this a Super Bowl 55 preview?
If so, oddsmakers like the chances of Kansas City repeating as champions. Despite taking their show on the road, the Chiefs opened as the 3.5-point favorites to take care of business in the Big Easy. That line quickly moved to Kansas City -4.
Kansas City is 12-1 and has clinched the AFC West title. But the Chiefs are only 2-4 against the spread as an away favorite this season. It’s the first time all season New Orleans has been a home underdog.
Chiefs vs Saints Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | -198 | -4 (-108) | O 51 (-110) |
| New Orleans Saints | +166 | +4 (-112) | U 51 (-110) |
Odds taken Dec. 13th at FanDuel.
Kickoff is set for 4:25pm EST Sunday afteroon at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Since they’ll be playing indoors, the weather won’t play a factor in the outcome.
Saints Stumble
Jalen Hurts made his first start as an NFL quarterback a memorable one. The Philadelphia Eagles rookie beat the Saints 24-21. He joined Lamar Jackson as the only rookie QBs in NFL history to post a 100-yard rushing game in their first NFL start.
While Hurts was putting a hurt on the New Orleans defense, the one aspect of the Philly defense that’s been effective this season – the pass rush – tormented Saints QB Taysom Hill. He was sacked five times.
Taysom Hill’s pass pops off Alvin Kamara’s hands and gets swallowed for the interception by Duke Riley (a New Orleans native and LSU alum).
Also of note: Alvin Kamara could probably play linebacker with this tackle.#Saints playing from behind for the first time in a long time. pic.twitter.com/hYYCSRyscR
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) December 13, 2020
If the past four games have taught the Saints anything, it’s that if Hill is their QB of the future, then they don’t have much of a future looking forward. Hill is 3-1 as a starter but he’s been personally responsible for all five New Orleans turnovers during that four-game span.
Hill has thrown two interceptions and lost three of his five fumbles. His errant passes are displaying an inability to throw downfield with an NFL level of accuracy.
Brees A Question Mark
It doesn’t appear that Saints starting QB Drew Brees (lung, ribs) will be good to go against KC. He was still dealing with pain and lacking a full range of motion in his last throwing session.
From @NFLGameDay: #Saints QB Drew Brees' status is now uncertain for Week 15 after his last throwing session, while the #Raiders get back RB Josh Jacobs and OT Trent Brown today. pic.twitter.com/2Q9J3mBOtk
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 13, 2020
Unless there’s a dramatic turnaround, it’s unlikely New Orleans would activate Brees from IR and risk him in this game.
Chiefs Hang On
Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes endured the first three-interception game of his career. Regardless, the Chiefs still held off the Miami Dolphins 33-27 on the road.
Make him part of the #99Club already 🐆 @cheetah
📺: @NFLonCBS | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/HqRbd4z8Xw
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 13, 2020
Mahomes still went over 300 yards passing for the sixth straight game. Tight end Travis Kelce topped 100 receiving yards for the fifth time in six games. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill pushed his NFL-leading touchdown total to 15.
Injury Report
Other than Brees, the Saints are relatively healthy. Starting right guard Nick Easton (concussion) is questionable.
Cesar Ruiz should finish the game at RG. Nick Easton is out with a concussion
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) December 13, 2020
For Kansas City, starting right tackle Mike Remmers (back) is questionable. Strongside linebacker Damien Wilson (knee) is listed as out.
Trend Spotting
The Chiefs are 4-2 straight up all-time at New Orleans. Kansas City also won Super Bowl 4 at New Orleans, so there’s that.
"Just know there's a little bit more that we gotta get done." pic.twitter.com/qPiurjJBeR
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 14, 2020
With the uncertain status of Brees, expect this line to lengthen in favor of the Chiefs. The three teams Taysom Hill has met in his four starts – Atlanta (twice), Denver and Philadelphia – are a combined 9-25-1.
He’s about to step up in class and face the NFL’s varsity for the first time. It could get ugly.
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
