The game was supposed to be played in Mexico City, Mexico, but because the field conditions are so poor, the game was switched to the L.A. Coliseum (it is a Rams home game on the schedule) for the big Monday night tilt between the teams with identical 9-1 records.
The Rams lost on the road at New Orleans two weeks ago while the Chiefs only setback came a little over a month ago in New England on Sunday Night Football.
Both teams have high octane offenses along with suspect defenses, although the Rams defense has been more consistent through the first ten games.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has 31 touchdown passes along with seven interceptions while Rams QB Jared Goff has tossed 22 TD passes and been intercepted six times. But these two teams offenses are not just about the quarterbacks.
The Chiefs have Kareem Hunt (4.5 yards per carry with seven TD) and Spencer Ware (5.6 ypc) in the backfield and little wide receiver Tyreek Hill has nine touchdowns already while averaging 16.2 yards per catch. Tight end Travis Kelce has been solid with 57 receptions to lead the team, good for a 13.8 ypc average and six TD grabs.
Meanwhile, the Rams have running back Todd Gurley (an NFL MVP candidate this season along with K.C. QB Patrick Mahomes) who has averaged 5.0 yards per carry while gaining 988 yards to lead the league in that category. In addition, Gurley has 40 receptions (10.1 ypc average) and has scored 17 total touchdowns, with 13 of them coming on the ground.
L.A. wide receivers Brandin Cooks (51, 857, 16.8 ypc and three TD) and Robert Woods (55, 832, 15.1 ypc and three TD) have been a dynamic duo so far this season. However Cooper Kupp, the third leg of the trio was lost for the rest of the season when he suffered a knee injury last weekend. Kupp has six TD receptions to lead the team along with his 40 receptions for 566 yards.
Defensively, Kansas City allows 411 yards per game (122 rushing, 290 passing) while getting 31 QB sacks to this point. The Rams defense yields 355 yards per game (122 rushing, 233 passing) and has 26 QB sacks.
The game figures to be a shootout and could come down to whoever has the football last.
But stranger things have happened in the NFL when the top two teams go at it, so who knows, this game could wind up being a 7-3 affair. But don't count on it because Mahomes and Goff have been flinging the ball all over the yard on a consistent basis through ten games and that doesn't look to stop any time soon.
PREDICTION - Rams 38, Chiefs 35
The rest of the action around the NFL is featured below in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo predictions follow.
Green Bay (4-4-1) at Seattle (4-5) - The Thursday night battle between two teams struggling along at the .500 mark. Toss up here.
Dallas (4-5) at Atlanta (4-5) - Another NFC tilt between two teams fighting to keep their post-season hopes alive. Falcons rate the edge (slightly) at home.
Cincinnati (5-4) at Baltimore (4-5) - The Ravens are coming off the bye week and need this game as they have fallen out of the playoff mix to this point.
Carolina (6-3) at Detroit (3-6) - The Lions are a strange team this season and just might pull off a surprise at home in this one.
Pittsburgh (6-2-1) at Jacksonville (3-6) - Two teams going in opposite directions. Steelers would love to get revenge after last season's playoff debacle against the Jaguars.
Tennessee (5-4) at Indianapolis (4-5) - Two teams that have been getting it done the last few weeks battle it out in Indy. Toss up.
Tampa Bay (3-6) at NY Giants (2-7) - Can the Giants make it two wins in a row? You bet.
Houston (6-3) at Washington (6-3) - Two teams that have been flying under the radar in their conferences so far. Redskins win this one at home.
Philadelphia (4-5) at New Orleans (8-1) - The Saints have won eight in a row and play the struggling Eagles in The Big Easy. Beware!
Oakland (1-8) at Arizona (2-7) - Two of the worst teams in the NFL go at it in this one. Cardinals should win this home game.
Denver (3-6) at LA Chargers (7-2) - The Chargers have been rolling, but the Denver defense is tough and could keep this one close.
Minnesota (5-3-1) at Chicago (6-3) - This game was "flexed" to the "prime time" Sunday night game and for good reason. These two teams have excellent defenses and are battling for first place in the NFC North.
The Heftyinfo game picks for Week Eleven . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Seattle over Green Bay
Atlanta over Dallas
Baltimore over Cincinnati
Detroit over Carolina
PITTSBURGH over Jacksonville
Indianapolis over Tennessee
NY Giants over Tampa Bay
Washington over Houston
New Orleans over Philadelphia
Arizona over Oakland
LA Chargers over Denver
Chicago over Minnesota
LA Rams over Kansas City
Last Week's Record - 7-7
SEASON RECORD - 97-49-2
Lock of the Week Record - 8-2
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