The Saints, eager to bounce back from recent setbacks, face a formidable task against the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ ragtag offense may not present a significant challenge but it’s prime time in Arrowhead. Who will come out on top in the Week 5 Monday Night Football matchup? Let’s take a look at some of the best bets you can take on DraftKings Sportsbook. You can also check out all of our NFL content on DraftKings Network here.
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New Orleans Saints +5.5 (-108)
Defense wins championships. Both teams have good ones but both do not have good offenses. At least at the moment, one offense is better suited to break through than the other. The Saints have offensive weapons. The Chiefs have an assortment of refurbished parts. Patrick Mahomes still has Andy Reid magic, and Travis Kelce finally realized the season had begun last week. That’s not enough. Even at home, remaining undefeated is a tough ask. That is unless they ask the refs for favorable calls.
Imagine a scenario where the Chiefs use smoke and mirrors to move the ball against the sixth-best defense in football. That’s a lot of smoke. Their offensive line allowed a 44% pressure rate last week. That’s not smoke. That’s heat. If the Chiefs do move the chains, then how do they score touchdowns? The Saints have the No. 1 red-zone defense in the NFL. The Chiefs do not pose as a rushing threat with their injured backfield. They lost the leader of their receiving corps in Week 4. That group was already unflattering for Patrick Mahomes. Are fullbacks and left tackles going to punch it in all night? This spread appreciates who Kansas City has been and not who they are.
The spread does not respect the Saints. This team could easily be 4-0 with better fourth quarters. And finishes are a problem. If they don’t close, then they don’t cover. “A-B-C. Always be closing. Coffee’s for closers.” But they’ll close. Saquon Barkley isn’t in the backfield. It’s old man Kareem Hunt and a fumble-prone, undrafted Ball State star. Kirk Cousins is taking a break from stealing souls in prime time. The Saints have a chance to get their soul back. Souls are important for saints and soul is important for the city of New Orleans.
This offense has soul. It can get into a rhythm. Alvin Kamara looks great. Derek Carr’s play-action work is benefitting. He has plenty of options through the air. A Steve Spagnuolo defense at home presents a challenge. But it won’t be “a” challenge. Given the Chiefs’ offensive situation, the Saints will get to challenge the Chiefs’ defense over and over until they break through.
Under 43 (-108)
The run of explosive prime-time games ends on Monday Night. This will be an old-school slobber knocker. It could also be a slopper. Both defenses are perfectly equipped to shut down their opposition. Both offenses are capable of turning the ball over. Routine sustained drives do not seem likely. This is a field goal game.
The Chiefs could steal this one in the end. They just win, but they don’t always cover. The Harrison Butker game-winner has become a familiar sight. A three-point field goal to decide the game does not illustrate a high-scoring game. The Saints’ offense outside of the dome in front of a rowdy Arrowhead audience on Monday Night Football does not project to have another 40-point performance. This will be ugly or a thing of beauty. The defense-oriented will love it. For those expecting a track meet, you were warned.
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