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New York Jets vs Kansas City Chiefs: Prediction, preview, pick to win

Complete guide to the New York Jets vs Kansas City Chiefs, including when and where to watch, latest injury news, series history, matchups, prediction, and pick to win.

By The Sports Xchange
The New York Jets play the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3. File photo by Rich Kane/UPI
The New York Jets play the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3. File photo by Rich Kane/UPI | License Photo

New York Jets (1-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-1)

KICKOFF: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium. TV: CBS, Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Jamie Erdahl.

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SERIES HISTORY: 36th regular season meeting, series is tied 17-17-1. The Chiefs evened the series with a 24-10 win in the most recent game between the teams on Nov. 2, 2014. Jets QB Michael Vick, making his first start with the team, threw a three-yard touchdown pass to WR Eric Decker. This will be the Jets' second straight visit to Arrowhead Stadium but only their fourth since 1989.

GAMEDATE: 9/25/16

LATEST INJURY NEWS: The Chiefs will be without one of their offensive weapons, while the Jets will have limited use of one of their big play receivers as New York and Kansas City face off Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium.

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Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles will not play as he continues to rehab a knee injury that he suffered last October. Charles has been practicing, but the Chiefs are being conservative in handling his return. For the Jets, wide receiver Brandon Marshall is active, but his participation is expected to be limited because of a knee injury.

Along the offensive line, the Chiefs are without starting left guard Parker Ehinger (concussion/ankle) and guard-tackle Jah Reid (ankle/knee). Right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif will be available after sitting out Week 2 with a high ankle sprain. Jordan Devey and Zach Fulton are expected to start at guard.

The other inactive players named by the Chiefs were quarterback Tyler Bray, cornerback Kenneth Acker, wide receiver De'Anthony Thomas, inside linebacker Sam Barrington.

The inactive players for the Jets are quarterbacks Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty, running back Troymaine Pope, tackle Brandon Shell, cornerback Darryl Rob

KEYS TO THE GAME: Both defenses are preparing to face a strong running game. Matt Forte has been stellar for the Jets, including a 30-carry, three-TD game against the Bills in Week 2.

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With Spencer Ware grinding out yards in Charles' absence, the Chiefs might break personality and attack downfield, as the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals did successfully. Chiefs No. 1 receiver Jeremy Maclin will likely be matched with LCB Darrelle Revis, who has a chance to regain his bearings.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Jets C Nick Mangold vs. Chiefs NT Dontari Poe: Forte has the second-most rushing yards in the NFL (196). The Chiefs have allowed the third-most rushing yards (252). If Mangold can get the best of Poe and open up some holes for Forte, it opens up the rest of the offense. However, Poe, who missed training camp and is just getting his legs, had a very good game at Houston in Week 2.

--Chiefs interior OL vs. Jets DL Sheldon Richardson, Leonard Williams and Muhammad Wilkerson: Injuries left the Chiefs with two backup guards in the starting lineup against Houston's tenacious 3-4 defense last week. C Mitch Morse can hold his own - though a bad snap cost the Chiefs a possession at Houston - but will need to be a helping hand to keep the Jets' talented three-man line in check.

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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: WR Quincy Enunwa's surprising emergence over the first two games -- 13 catches on 14 targets -- gives the Jets perhaps the top trio in the entire NFL. Enunwa has gained the trust of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and could be in for an even bigger role Sunday with Marshall (knee) and Decker (shoulder) banged up.

FAST FACTS: The Chiefs have 53 total turnovers in Andy Reid's 50 games as head coach. ... Chiefs WR Jeremy Maclin had only one drop last season, but was charged with two last week at Houston, when he caught six of 15 passes on which he was the intended receiver. ... Jets WRs Decker and Marshall have 15 combined touchdowns at Arrowhead Stadium.

PREDICTION: Alex Smith was uncharacteristically reckless in Week 2 and the Chiefs lost three fumbles. If Kansas City takes care of the ball and is able to win a downfield gamble or two, the Chiefs can ground the Jets' aerial attack with a young but game secondary.

OUR PICK: Chiefs, 29-24.

--Jeff Reynolds

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