Giants’ D up for Chiefs’ challenge

You might think the slumping, pressing Chiefs would welcome a visit from the mediocre Giants on Monday at Arrowhead Stadium.

Nope.

The Giants have dominated the series, winning 11 of 14 meetings and five of the past six.

They also come in as one of two teams with a takeaway in every game — and Kansas City has become adept at giveaways. The Chiefs are an incredulous minus-10 in turnover margin.

Patrick Mahomes already has three more interceptions (nine) this season than all of last season.

Tampa Bay (6-1) at New Orleans (4-2)

The Saints swept the regular-season meetings last season before the Bucs won at New Orleans in the playoffs. Since then Tampa Bay and Tom Brady have been almost unstoppable. Brady leads the NFL in completions (203), passing yards (2,275) and TD passes (21).

Tennessee (5-2) at Indianapolis (3-4)

This could come down to which team’s run defense can be effective. Tennessee’s Derrick Henry needs 131 yards rushing for his

fourth straight 1,000-yard season and had 113 yards rushing against the Colts in a September win. Indy’s RB Jonathan Taylor has rushed for 50 or more yards in 13 straight games, the secondlongest active streak behind Henry (32), and has been particularly impactful this month.

Cincinnati (5-2) at New York Jets (1-5)

New York’s 27th-ranked defense faces what is becoming a powerhouse offense. Bengals rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase had eight catches for 201 yards and a touchdown in Cincinnati’s signature victory over Baltimore.

Pittsburgh (3-3) at Cleveland (4-3)

One of the oldest and nastiest of NFL rivalries, with both teams having underachieved thus far.

What better way for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to equal his predecessor, Hall of Famer Bill Cowher, in victories than by beating Cleveland?

Cowher went 149-90-1 from 1992-2006 and Tomlin is 148-81-1 since 2007.

New England (3-4) at L.A. Chargers (4-2)

These Chargers are a much more talented bunch than in years past, though 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert had by far his worst outing against New England last season.

Patriots tight end Hunter Henry, who played his first five seasons for the Chargers, has caught a touchdown pass in four straight games.

Miami (1-6) at Buffalo (4-2)

After losing his first career meeting against Miami in 2018, Josh Allen has six straight wins in which he’s gone 113 for 178 for 1,500 yards with 17 TDs passing and three TDs rushing. Buffalo has won the past six matchups by an average score of 39-19.

The Dolphins have never lost seven in a row to Buffalo. They also are 6-0 on Halloween.

Carolina (3-4) at Atlanta (3-3)

Carolina’s main chores will be righting quarterback Sam Darnold’s trajectory and slowing down rookie tight end Kyle Pitts. The fourth overall draft choice set a franchise record at his position with 163 yards receiving on seven catches in last week’s victory over Miami. He’s on pace for the most productive season by a rookie tight end in NFL history.

Washington (2-5) at Denver (3-4)

If the Broncos don’t win, they’ll have their second winless October (1967) in franchise history. So they are bringing back some Manning magic. They are honoring Peyton Manning during halftime ceremonies for his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction last summer. No, they won’t be persuading the last quarterback to take them to a title to suit up again.

San Francisco (2-4) at Chicago (3-4)

The Niners have been flagged for a league-worst 14 pass interference calls, costing them 250 yards.

Chicago is the only team averaging more yards rushing (131) than passing (a pitiful 124.4).

Jacksonville (1-5) at Seattle (2-5)

The Jaguars are rested off their bye after their first victory. Seattle, still without quarterback Russell Wilson, is 2-5 for the first time since the 2011 season when they were 2-6. Seattle has started a season 0-3 at home for the first time since 1992.

Philadelphia (2-5) at Detroit (0-7)

Detroit is the NFL’s only winless team and has lost 11 straight, going back to Dec. 6, 2020, for, naturally, the NFL’s longest active losing streak. Philadelphia has been penalized a leaguehigh 58 times this season.