First step to Reid, Chiefs’ redemption

CHIEFS (-8½) over Titans (UNDER 44½): Both the Hunt family’s Kansas City franchise and head coach Andy Reid have had their intermittent issues with Postseason NFL World. The Chiefs have brought home one Super Bowl win; Reid, none. But given today’s opponent, the possibility of the Chiefs getting another swift shot at longterm redemption remains alive. Should Jacksonville beat Buffalo on Sunday, a Chief win would have them visiting New England next Saturday night. The Chief offense was revitalized just in time this season when Reid finally delegated playcalling to OC Matt Nagy. The Titans are a game bunch who rang up a couple of quality wins early, but since taking out the Jags and Seahawks, Tennessee’s regressed as QB Marcus Mariota has faced debilitating injury issues, which have largely prevented him from displaying the sustained form of his first two seasons, and is now underwater with 15 picks to go with his 13 touchdown tosses. The franchise’s seasonal home/road splits aren’t pretty, either. Without RB DeMarco Murray, Mariota runs headlong into his current limitations, the Titans wear down on the road, Reid plays it tight with the better hand, and Alex Smith doesn’t need to overreach to prevail, so long as the ground game’s working. Chiefs, 27-13.

Falcons (+6½) over LA RAMS (UNDER 50½): The Falcons endured sustained issues against AFC East types (racking up but one SU win among four ATS losses) after making short work of the bulk of the NFC North, but have acquitted themselves well over the past two months while riding their revitalized defense. Matt Ryan (and his multiple capable targets) appear to miss previous OC Kyle Shanahan, but if this visitor can minimize some of their current offensive inconsistencies, this should go to the wire, with these youthful, offensively explosive Rams finding out about life in the NFL when under January pressures associated with high expectations — all new, to Jared Goff, Todd Gurley and the bulk of the precocious talent at hand. It seems to us that this should be just the kind of spot where the more-experienced underdog boasting undeniable talent levels is unlikely to play dead. Even on grass, even up against Goff and Gurley … so long as Ryan and his attack unit can play keep-away from the explosive Ram skill people long enough, compelled to look “under,” though the inherent risks are evident. Falcons, 24-21. LAST WEEK: 10-6. NFL REGULAR SEASON: 116-106-14 Follow Richard Witt on Twitter: @rich_witt1