From the FanPosts -Joel

Good Sunday morning! It's gameday in Kansas City and in just a few short hours the New Orleans Saints will take the field in Arrowhead against our Kansas City Chiefs. On Thursday I posted an article HERE taking a look at the top three matchups of the game. Today I'm going more in depth of what I'll be expecting from the Chiefs and the storyline going into the game. So lets begin.

Jamaal Charles Is Not 110%

On Wednesday before the Raiders game Jamaal Charles claimed to be 110 percent but during the game Charles was out snapped 40-15. On Monday after the game Andy Reid told Kansas City Star, "Is he ready to carry it every down? I don’t think that’s where we’re at right this minute." Then this last Friday Jamaal Charles was limited for knee swelling and officially listed as questionable for the game (update: he's active). Spencer Ware will very be in for another heavy workload as Charles continues to deal knee issues. I wouldn't expect much more than the 15 snaps Charles received against the Raiders.

Spencer Ware Continuing to Impress

Ware is currently fourth in the NFL in total scrimmage yards per game and faces a team ranked 26th in rush defense and 31st in pass defense. Against the Raiders Ware ran for 131 yards (his season high) and caught 31 yards with a touchdown both on the ground and through the air. Against the Saints Spencer Ware will be facing the 26th ranked rush defense (in yards, 19th against RBs overall according to Football Outsiders) a strength of the Saints in regards to their defense overall. So far this season the Saints have allowed only one 100-yard rusher (Devonta Freeman), but the defense has given up 11 rushing touchdowns to running backs. The Chiefs should certainly be expected to feed Spencer Ware early and often as they try to control the clock and keep the ball away from Drew Brees. Another 100-plus total yard effort from Spencer Ware wouldn't be a surprise.

Oakland Game Is Who Alex Smith Is

Alex Smith is on pace for the most attempts and yards in his career. Some of this could be attributed to the Chiefs being down often through their first four games (minus the Jets game). Through the first six games of last year when the Chiefs were 1-5, Alex Smith averaged 35 attempts a game but only 26 during their 10 game winning streak. In the game against Oakland, Smith threw 22 passes for 224 yards and 0 touchdowns or interceptions. When the Chiefs are in control from the beginning this is exactly the kind of game to expect from Smith. The Chiefs three touchdowns came from three rushes of less than five yards (including the one yard "rush" from Dontari Poe). When Alex Smith has a "Big Game" and throws for over 300 yards it's usually in losing effort. Alex Smith is 2-5 all time (1-3 with the Chiefs) in games where he throws for 300-plus yards.

So for all the struggles Smith has had this season the Oakland game showed he's still who he has always been, and that's certainly not a bad thing. If the Chiefs are able to control the game against the Saints today expect a very similar stat line.

The Chiefs Control Their Destiny

The Kansas City Chiefs currently sit at third in the AFC West, half a game behind Denver and Oakland. With a win today and a loss by both their rivals, the Chiefs would sit atop the AFC West. In the last 11 games of the season the Chiefs face four teams that currently have a winning record, three of which are games against Denver and Oakland. The Chiefs are already 2-0 against the AFC West. If the game against Oakland truly is a precursor of what's to come, then the Chiefs should have no problem getting back to the playoffs for the third time in four years under Andy Reid.

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This is a series I'm thinking of pursuing for the rest of the season. Let me know what you think! If you've got any more suggestions for storylines during the week be sure to hit me up @DTSportsNow on twitter or email me dtsportsnow(at)gmail.com