Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans (turf)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Saints by 9
Forecast: Indoors
Records: Chiefs (Overall: 0-2, AFC West: 0-0); Saints (Overall: 0-2, NFC South: 0-1)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Nov. 16, 2008: Saints 30, Chiefs 20; Nov. 14, 2004: Saints 27, Chiefs 20. Series record: Saints hold 4-5 edge.
What matters: It's not a stretch to call these teams the most disappointing through two weeks. The Saints can at least say that they've been competitive -- they've had the ball with a chance to tie in the fourth quarter in both games. The Chiefs have played two insignificant fourth quarters. The offense could defend itself with the nugget that the Chiefs lead the AFC in total offense, but they've been no-shows when it matters. Three straight Matt Cassel turnovers turned the opener into a blowout, and starting the Buffalo game with four punts made the Bills' game a no-contest. In the 11 possessions the defense has played when the Chiefs are within two scores, their opponent has scored seven touchdowns, two field goals and punted twice.
Who matters: Cassel and Jamaal Charles. Alcohol will be consumed on Bourbon Street, at least one fan will shout "Who dat" and Drew Brees will put up points against Kansas City's defense. Those three are givens on Sunday in New Orleans. That means the Chiefs need to find a way to keep up. Charles was a nonfactor against Buffalo, ending his day short because of a knee bruise after three carries for 6 yards. Here are Carolina's rushing totals in three games: 10, 219 and 60. The 219 yards came against the Saints, who have the worst run D in the league. Charles has to take advantage. As for Cassel, he needs to take care of the ball -- the Chiefs are an NFL-worst minus-6 in giveaway/takeaway ratio.
Key matchups: OLB Tamba Hali vs. LT Jermon Bushrod. According to Pro Football Focus, Drew Brees has been hurried 15 times, hit seven times and sacked twice. Twelve of those hurries and three of the hits have come against Bushrod. Hali went sackless last week, but he did generate three QB hurries in his season debut. ... RB Darren Sproles vs. Chiefs' linebackers. Sproles has more catches (23) and receiving yards (217) against the Chiefs than any other franchise. The Chiefs will be able to decide presnap how they're covering Sproles, as he has yet to carry the ball all season and is rarely in the game for running plays. ... Chiefs' secondary vs. TE Jimmy Graham. Through two weeks, starting tight ends have seven catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns against Kansas City's defense. Graham has averaged 78 receiving yards per game, second among tight ends.
Injuries of note: TE Kevin Boss left the Buffalo game with a head injury and has not practiced this week, so it's unlikely he will play. RG Ryan Lilja (back), WR Dexter McCluster (shoulder) and NT Anthony Toribio (ankle) were limited participants on Thursday. Toribio is probably the biggest question mark in that group. He's been out since the preseason. Charles is on the injury report because of his knee, but he has practiced this week and will play.
Connections: Saints DE Turk McBride was a Chiefs' draft pick and spent part of three seasons (2007-2009) in Kansas City. Chiefs WR Terrance Copper was with New Orleans in 2006, 2007 and part of 2008. Chiefs LB coach Gary Gibbs came to Kansas City after three years as defensive coordinator in New Orleans (2006-2008). Brees and Sproles have a lot of experience playing against Kansas City from their time in San Diego. Brees is 4-3 in starts against Kansas City, and Sproles is 7-3 in his career against the Chiefs.
Stat you should know: The 1998 Bills are the last team to start the season 0-3 and make the playoffs. That team lost its first three games by only eight points -- Kansas City has lost its first two games by 34 points -- and the Bills also ended up changing quarterbacks midway through the season, going with Doug Flutie in Week 6. Should Brady Quinn start warming up?
Record watch: Charles does not have a 100-yard rushing game since Dec. 19, 2010 against St. Louis. His last rushing touchdown was in the playoffs against the Ravens on Jan. 9, 2011.
Looking ahead: The Chiefs have back-to-back home games against division leaders San Diego (2-0) and Baltimore (1-1) before traveling to play Tampa Bay (1-1), which looks to be an improved team through two weeks. Lose on Sunday and the Chiefs could be on their way to an 0-6 start.
Prediction: Saints 45, Chiefs 24
Follow Chiefs reporter C.J. Moore on Twitter @CBSChiefs and @cjmoore4.
