Chiefs vs. Giants: Game and score predictions

It’s an understatement to say the Arrowhead Pride staff (and our readers) got it wrong in predicting Week 7’s 27-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans. All but one of our contributors picked the Chiefs to win — and our composite prediction of a 38-30 victory carried 70 points of error. While half of the staff (and 60% of our readers) thought the game would be close, readers were less certain of a Kansas City win: one in five picked Tennessee.

In Week 8, the Chiefs face the New York Giants at Arrowhead Stadium. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Kansas City is favored by 9.5 points. Let’s see what the staff — and our readers — think about the matchup.

Tom Childs (@tomchilds56)

Simply put, this is a must-win game for the Chiefs. Lose on Monday night in front of their home crowd and the season is over. Considering it is only Week 8, that might sound hyperbolic — but such is the hole in which the Chiefs have left themselves. That being said, I do think this might be a get-right game in terms of record. Either way, it’s a no-win situation for the Chiefs. Win? You’ve done as expected. Lose? The boo birds at Arrowhead will be loud and clear. Chiefs 27, Giants 17

John Dixon (@Arrowheadphones)

I can’t bring myself to believe that the performance of the Kansas City offense against Tennessee was anything less than an aberration; I think they can be back to form against a New York defense that’s giving up 25 points a game. But I am less confident that the team’s defense can get all of its problems sorted out before Monday night. To me, that adds up to a Chiefs win — but I don’t think Kansas City will cover the spread. Chiefs 31, Giants 27

Talon Graff (@CoachGraff34)

An opportunity to bounce back just before the bye week is right in front of the Chiefs. The New York Giants have struggled mightily all season and are destined for a top 10 draft pick. Injuries are a big storyline, too: stars like Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay and rookie Kadarius Toney are all potentially out for Week 8. The defense should look better against Daniel Jones — but with the way this season has been so far, it isn’t a guarantee. Patrick Mahomes has been vocal about the issues that need to be fixed — but almost halfway through the season, we still see the problems. It could be a huge boost of momentum to have a clean game and establish dominance early. All things considered, this is still Kansas City’s game to lose. Chiefs 34, Giants 21

Kristian Gumminger (@kgumminger)

Can this October finally be over? The Chiefs haven’t won at home since the season opener against the Cleveland Browns. And they need a win in the worst way — to prove to themselves (and their fans) that this season isn’t over just yet. They will be going up against a Giants team that is without its stars on offense, but feisty everywhere else. Quarterback Daniel Jones will take chances with the ball, but he is also a talented scrambler; to get New York off the field on third down, Kansas City linebackers will need to be aware of where he is. The Giants’ defensive line has speed on the edges with rookies Azeez Ojulari and Quincy Roche — and power with Leonard Williams. The secondary is also talented with standouts James Bradberry, Logan Ryan, Adoree Jackson and Xavier McKinney. If they want this Monday Night Football victory, the Chiefs will need their secondary receivers to create quick separation and make plays. The Chiefs do just enough to win. Chiefs 31, Giants 28

Mark Gunnels (@MarkAGunnels)

I really thought the second half of the game against the Washington Football Team was a sign of things to come. Well, I was clearly wrong. However, the Giants coming to town should be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Chiefs. It’s now or never — and I think the Chiefs’ offense was embarrassed by last week’s performance. Also, this Giants offensive line is severely banged up. Chiefs should roll. Chiefs 38, Giants 20

Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp)

This might be the last week of this season that I feel confident picking the Chiefs. I feel strongly that they can still take care of a bottom-feeding NFL team; all of their losses this season have come against contenders. It doesn’t help New York’s chances that some of their key players are dealing with injuries, either. I believe the offense bounces back with help from a productive day on the ground — and on defense, I’m predicting that the pass rush comes alive for a statement game. I’ve been burned by this prediction before, but I’m going to trust my eyes and buy into the unit looking better in recent weeks. Daniel Jones and a banged-up offensive line are a recipe for effective pressure — especially if the Chiefs can make a point to start faster than they have in recent weeks, making the Giants play from behind. Chiefs 34, Giants 14

Rocky Magaña (@RockyMagana)

I’ve picked the Chiefs every week this year, and I’ve been wrong more than I’ve been right. I don’t like the week this team has had in the media. But there is no way the Giants should beat the Chiefs — especially with the Barkley being out and Shepherd and Toney banged up. Jones is a better athlete than he gets credit for. But much like the Washington game, New York has no business hanging with the Chiefs. The Giants' secondary leaves a lot to be desired. If Mahomes can avoid costly mistakes, the Chiefs should run away with this one. Will they? That is an entirely different story. Chiefs 28, Giants 13

Kramer Sansone (@KramerTalks)

This is going to be the game that gets the Chiefs somewhat back on track after they were derailed by the Titans last week. A hurt and banged-up Giants team should not beat the Chiefs on Monday night — but I still wouldn’t be shocked if the Chiefs somehow lose this one. I believe this game is going to be close — and will make Chiefs fans very uncomfortable. Chiefs 34, Giants 28

Jared Sapp (@TrumanChief)

Predicting the Chiefs has become a frustrating weekly exercise. But I am going to keep it simple this week. Kansas City will come out in a big way — and this will be their most convincing win of the season. The Chiefs will tease being the team we thought they were. But there is nothing they can do on Monday night that should convince anyone they are ready for the brutal three-game stretch they face after the Giants. Chiefs 38, Giants 24

Stephen Serda (@StephenSerda)

It feels foolish to keep coming back here every week and pick the Chiefs because they’ll get things figured out. Through seven weeks, they haven’t figured out much of anything — but the Giants (similar to Washington) simply aren’t a good football team. The Chiefs’ offense has to bounce back in a big way — and against a clearly inferior football team, they should. Facing the Chiefs the week after they only managed three points is a good time to buy in on their offense. Chiefs 31, Giants 17

Matt Stagner (@stagdsp)

Last week had to be rock bottom... right? This Chiefs team can’t repeat that performance again for the rest of the season — or else the calls for rebuilding will continue to get louder. I’m hoping that a few changes in the lineup — favoring young and explosive players — will add new energy and show the development that the team needs. Against a much-less talented Giants team on Monday night, it’s time to see increased contributions from Josh Gordon, Jerick McKinnon, Noah Gray, Khalen Saunders, Willie Gay Jr. and Rashad Fenton. There isn’t a shortage of talent on the Chiefs, but they’ve got to start showing up and proving it. They should run the ball vs the Giants, impose their will and get some confidence back. Chiefs 35, Giants 17

Bryan Stewart (@BryanStewart_)

For all of the things that seem to be wrong with this football team right now, this game is ripe for the Chiefs to show out in a big way on a Monday night at home. If Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense continue to look out of rhythm like they did in Tennessee, I can see New York keeping it close — but otherwise, I think Kansas City controls this one. Regardless, the real tests will come in the November weeks that will follow. Chiefs 30, Giants 17

Pete Sweeney (@pgsween)

Well, the fall-from-grace is nearly complete; the only thing left would be for Kansas City to lose to a bad team. During times like these, it is critical to remember that though the Chiefs have lost one more game than they have won, all four losses have come against division leaders. The Chiefs weren’t ever beating the Titans or Buffalo Bills — but take away the turnovers, and maybe this team is 5-2. All that being said, the NFL doesn’t hand out wins for maybes — and we have reached a point where it would not be shocking to see a loss to the lowly Giants, who should be missing stars Saquon Barkley and Kenny Golladay. I tend to think the Chiefs respond, but New York — a team that should be in a game against Kansas City — will stick around long enough for a scare. The Chiefs win, but fail to cover what is a 9.5-point spread. Then reality looms with the Green Bay Packers on 10 days worth of rest. Chiefs 33, Giants 24

Ethan Willinger (@ecwillinger)

Despite its struggles this season, Kansas City is 2-0 against inferior opponents from the NFC East. While wins over the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington didn’t exactly move the needle on the Chiefs’ playoff chances, they at least have given me some confidence the team will manage to get by an overmatched (on paper) Giants squad on Monday night. The Chiefs need to adjust to the predictable game plans opponents have deployed against them all season, but that could take time to flesh out on the field. Regardless, I think the team can win this one with talent and willpower alone. If it doesn’t? Yikes. Chiefs 34, Giants 20

Ties in the standings are broken with prediction points error — how much each prediction misses the actual point spread and the number of points scored by each team.

As the only contributor to pick the Titans in Week 7, Kramer Sansone took the victory — but even he expected a close game: his call for a 34-31 Tennessee win still had 56 points of error. Among everyone else, John Dixon and Stephen Serda’s 35-31 and 35-27 prognostications were the closest; each was 64 points off. With the win, Kramer moved ahead of Tom Childs at the top of the standings. Kristian Gumminger is now all alone in the second tier, while John Dixon leads the rest of the pack.