In the preseason game-by-game predictions we made back in August, I earmarked this game as one the St. Louis Rams would win, potentially even in convincing fashion. At the time, I thought the Kansas City Chiefs would take a step back from last year and the Rams' 2013 penchant for going on the road and steamrollering an AFC team or two would continue at Arrowhead Stadium.

But the Chiefs don't really look like a team that's regressed. Their record is only 3-3 but they've played one of the league's tougher slates and they have a couple of really impressive wins against San Diego and New England.

This just doesn't look like a favorable matchup for the Rams, as the Chiefs have one of the best outside running games in the league (fourth in yards per carry outside the tackles at 5.96) and the Rams are the worst in the league at defending the perimeter by allowing 8.15 yards per attempt.

Further complicating matters is a Rams offensive line that has protected quarterback Austin Davis well against lesser pass rushes but has yet to see a group as good as Kansas City's, which ranks third in the league in sacks per pass attempt. Adding the Arrowhead advantage to the mix makes this too much for the Rams to overcome.

My prediction: Chiefs 27, Rams 17