The Kansas City Chiefs have played four one-score games, while the New Orleans Saints are tied for largest scoring margin in the NFL. Yet the Chiefs are 4-0 and the Saints are 2-2 as these teams prepare to meet Monday night in Kansas City. The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs keep finding ways to win games that go to the wire while the Saints have lost their last two games by squandering leads in the final moments.
The Chiefs have overcome a series of injuries to key skill players on offense. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has yet to play while on the non-football illness list, though he did return to practice Wednesday. Running back Isiah Pacheco (fibula) and wide receiver Hollywood Brown (back) are on injured reserve and were joined Wednesday by wide receiver Rashee Rice, who sustained a knee injury in a 17-10 victory against the Chargers last week.
"There's not another Rashee," Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said, "but there are other guys that are very good so we'll be fine." First-round draft choice Xavier Worthy is averaging 17.1 yards per catch and has two touchdown receptions, tight end Travis Kelce is Kansas City's leading healthy receiver and fellow veterans Justin Watson and JuJu Smith-Shuster give quarterback Patrick Mahomes confidence.
"Those guys do it the right way," Mahomes said. "They're always in the right position. They do what they're supposed to do, and I think having those guys is a luxury because you know that they're going to be there and.
