If the Kansas City Chiefs (6-3) needed a break from a tough stretch of opponents, the New York Giants (1-8) are here to help with a hot towel and therapeutic shoulder rub. It’s all going to happen Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
If you want to watch this one (And why wouldn’t you with all the star power on the Giants’ offense?) you can point your television, computer or mobile device at the CBS network and its affiliates at 1 p.m.
The Game: Kansas City Chiefs at New York Giants (+10)
O/U: 45.5
The History
The Giants and Chiefs have played only 13 times since 1974. New York leads the all time series 10-3. Kansas City’s wins came in 1983, 1995 and 2013.
In their last meeting on September 29, 2013, the Chiefs won 31-7 with Alex Smith going 24 of 41 for 288 yards, three touchdowns and two picks. Eli Manning was 18 of 37 for 217 yards, one touchdown and one pick.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-3)
First, the bad news. Tamba Hali, after all of one game, is listed as out this week. Outside linebacker Dee Ford will be in sweats as well, so Kansas City has all of three outside linebackers they can put on the field Sunday. Since one of them is Justin Houston, he probably counts as five guys all by himself.
The Chiefs come into this game off their bye and they needed it. Kansas City dropped three of its last four. All three defeats were at the hands of good teams, but that’s a problem. The Chiefs opened the season beating two contenders in a row, the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles. Since then they’ve only beaten up on the NFL’s scrub squad. On the bright side for KC, they won’t play a contender again until Dec. 12 when they host the Raiders. All but one of their remaining games are against teams that currently have a losing record. This is still a 12-4 team at worst.
Kansas City’s offense wasn’t horrible against the Dallas Cowboys in a 28-17 loss two weeks ago, but all the explosive plays were gone. Alex Smith was 25 of 34 for 263 yards, two touchdowns and his first interception of the season. Rookie running back Kareem Hunt was held below 100 total yards for the first time as a pro.
NEW YORK GIANTS (1-8)
Here’s the message that head coach Ben McAdoo delivered to Giants fans this week.
“We want your support,” he said. “Come out, watch a great show. We plan on playing great football Sunday and getting a win.”
When all this football bullshit is behind him, maybe McAdoo has a future as a stand up comedian.
For now (and the rest of the season at least), McAdoo is a head football coach and this year it’s just been a nightmare for New York. As bad as it’s been in 2017, last week’s 31-21 loss to the then winless San Francisco 49ers was the lowest of low points. Rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard threw for 288 yards, two touchdowns and interception against a defensive unit that was one of the best in the league last season.
Not only that, the 49ers rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns, with Carlos Hyde racking up 98 on 17 carries.
Second year wide receiver Sterling Shepard showed up big against the Niners, catching 11 passes for 142 yards. He’s sick this week and is questionable on the injury report. B.J. Goodson is listed as out again as is guard Justin Pugh. Middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard is listed as doubtful.
There’s been talk of benching Eli Manning in favor of Davis Webb just to see what the team has in its rookie quarterback. I think that’s dumb, first off and apparently so does McAdoo. Webb has only taken reps with the scout team.
The Pick
Even with the Chiefs’ pass rush down a couple of players, I can’t see this one being close past the first quarter. Andy Reid was a thorn in New York’s side for years in Philadelphia and his coaching match up with Ben McAdoo in this one is laughable. Kansas City basically gets an extra bye. Chiefs 38, Giants 13
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 9-5
Against the spread: 6-8
Season
Straight up: 87-59
Against the spread: 75-70
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