NFL Week 15: Trends which will decide each game

Kansas City Chiefs (12-1) at New Orleans Saints (10-3), 4:25 pm

Chiefs: The high-wire artist known as the defending Super Bowl champions fell behind the upstart Dolphins, 10-0, last Sunday before scoring 30 consecutive points and then hanging on for a 33-27 victory. It was the eighth straight win for the Chiefs (the longest active streak in the NFL) and the last five triumphs have each been decided by six points or less.

But it’s also worth noting that after turning over the ball only eight times in their first 12 outings, Andy Reid’s club gave up the football four times at Miami. Still, this versatile team once again got points from their offense, defense (safety) and special teams (punt return TD) and has already equaled its win total from 2019.

Saints: Sean Payton’s club saw its nine-game winning streak snapped at Philadelphia last week and Dennis Allen’s defense had no answers for the Eagles’ ground attack. In their first 12 games this year, the Saints allowed just 76.1 yards per game rushing. But vs. the Birds, the club gave up a whopping 246 yards on the ground as running back Miles Sanders (115) and rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts (106) each topped the century mark.

Allen’s unit also failed to record a sack in the game and that’s something that can’t happen again vs. Patrick Mahomes. On the other hand, Taysom Hill was sacked five times and now must deal with Chris Jones and an opportunistic Chiefs’ defense.