Grant’s Slants: Faith is (somewhat) restored in Kansas City Chiefs

Games are much more fun to watch and consider when the Chiefs win. Like the weeks prior, this week offers some unique matchups as well as some games that will be uniquely interesting for the Kansas City fan base. Although there are fewer games this week, and honestly not as many intriguing ones, we need to enjoy football while we can. We are already a third of the way through the season.

Here are the (non-Chiefs) games that you should keep an eye on this week.

1. Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens

This is, by far in my opinion, the best game to watch outside of the Chiefs/Titans matchup. While it is wild to think that the Bengals may have found any kind of relevance, Joe Burrow and the Bengals are one of the hottest teams in the NFL. The Bengals are now sitting at 4-2 after throttling the Detroit Lions last week. The week before, they nearly defeated Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. By all accounts they are becoming a team to worry about during the playoffs.

The NFL’s hottest team, other than the Cardinals, is the Baltimore Ravens who have won five straight. Lamar Jackson has been one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks over this time rushing for 306 yards and passing for 1,451. When these two teams collide, it should make for a great matchup to watch and will have important playoff implications for down the stretch.

2. Denver Broncos @ Cleveland Browns

The Denver Broncos are looking for answers after dropping the last three games in a row. While Teddy Bridgewater has done some nice things for Denver’s offense, they have yet to put an entire game together. Denver has not scored more than 27 points this season and have had a few defensive struggles as of late. If they hope to hang with the AFC West, they will need to turn it around right now. If they drop their fourth game to the Browns, it may be time to throw in the towel.

Cleveland, like Denver is coming into this one needing a victory. After losing in back-to-back games, Cleveland needs to prove that they are a legitimate contender. Losing to the Broncos might put them in a bad situation in the AFC and destroy their chances of keeping pace with the Ravens. I would expect this game to feel more like a playoff game than some of the other games this week.

3. New Orleans Saints @ Seattle Seahawks (Monday Night)

At one time, this would have been considered a premier matchup. Now it is your run of the mill kind of game.

With Russell Wilson nursing a finger injury that will hold him out for awhile, the Seahawks are desperate to get some momentum to swing in their favor. Now, at home, they get the opportunity to play the Saints who are clinging to a winning record by their fingernails. While it is underwhelming to consider that Geno Smith will be taking on Jameis Winston in a head-to-head matchup, the season is on the line for these two teams.

4. Chicago Bears @ Tampa Buccaneers

The Chicago Bears are owned by Aaron Rodgers allegedly, but can they be “owned” by Tom Brady and the Bucs? While this seems like an easy victory for Tampa Bay, I wouldn’t be so sure. The Bears are one of the teams that may be uniquely built to take on the Bucs. With great defense and a so-so offense, the Bears may match up decently with Tampa.

If Chicago can slow down the Bucs, watch out. The Tampa Bay defense has been very bad against the pass and Justin Fields could have a career day. I would keep an eye on this one for the upset in Tampa.

5. Washington Football Team @ Green Bay Packers

Washington got rolled by the Chiefs at home. Green Bay beat up on the Bears. Obviously this is not a great game, but you should watch it to see what Washington is capable of against the Packers as a preview for Week 9 when the Chiefs host the Packers.