America’s new favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) gets to defend its newfound title against the suddenly formidable Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) at home in one of the better games of the week.
The Game: Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5)
The History
There’s not a long history between these two teams, but there are plenty of connections to their coaching staffs and rosters. Andy Reid, the head coach of the Chiefs, was formerly the head coach of the Eagles. Current Philadelphia head coach Doug Pederson played for Andy Reid with the Eagles and was his offensive coordinator in Kansas City. Current Eagles back up quarterback Nick Foles was drafted by Reid when he was in Philly and started (and won) a game for the Chiefs last season.
The first game between the two teams was in October, 1972. The Eagles won it 21-20 and that victory has given Philadelphia the edge in the all-time match up, 4-3.
Philadelphia owns the longest win streak in the series, winning three in a row from November, 2001 to September, 2009.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-0)
Last week the Eagles turned a close game against the Washington Redskins into a cruising win in the second half. Second year quarterback Carson Wentz led Philadelphia to 14 second half points to win 30-17 and take the early co-lead (with the Dallas Cowboys) of the NFC East.
Wentz went 26-for-39 against the Washington Redskins’ defense with a little help from LeGarrette Blount at running back who carried the ball 14 times for 46 yards and caught a one-yard touchdown pass. The Eagles’ best play was a freak shot to Nelson Agholor for a touchdown and nothing is going to come that easy against the Kansas City defense.
The Eagles defense forced four turnovers and recorded four sacks. They have one of the better defensive fronts in the league, but are weak at cornerback, especially after losing newly acquired Ronald Darby who will be out for a long while with a dislocated ankle. Into his place steps Patrick Robinson, who was playing slot corner before Darby went down.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-0)
I wasn’t a big believer in this Kansas City wideout corps, but then they all flew wide open all night against New England and I kind of changed my mind. Tyreek Hill not only performed well as a No. 1 outside receiver, he was a star, catching seven passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. On his 53 yard touchdown, no Patriot was even within sniper distance. While Chris Conley and Albert Wilson didn’t put up the numbers that Hill did, they caught the balls thrown to them and kept the chains moving.
If you started Travis Kelce on your daily fantasy team last week you were probably disappointed. He’ll make up for it this week. Kareem Hunt, on the other hand, didn’t disappoint anyone, running for 148 yards and a touchdown and catching five touchdowns for 98 yards and two scores in his NFL debut. The Eagles are going to see much of the same thing from Hunt and if they close that down, Kelce will be the beneficiary.
The Chiefs’ defense dominated the Patriots last week, especially in the second quarter. Justin Houston notched the first two sacks of his season and it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him and Dee Ford get four between them in this game. The loss of Eric Berry hurts, but Kansas City keeps a quiver full of safeties on the roster and have guys that can step in and still play at a high level.
The Pick
If this game was at Philadelphia, I’d still pick the Chiefs to win, but maybe not cover the 5.5. At Arrowhead, with a fired up fanbase pumped up after last week’s season starting blowout win of the hated Patriots, 5.5 might not be enough. Kansas City is the superior team and, as good as Philly has done in its season and a game under Pederson, they are simply overmatched. Chiefs 34, Eagles 20
This week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 1-0
Season
Straight up: 10-6
Against the spread : 9-7
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