Chiefs Should Keep Rolling vs. Raiders
The Kansas City Chiefs look to win their sixth straight game as they host the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City has been on a roll since an uncharacteristic 3-4 start, finally looking like the AFC West division favorites and Super Bowl contenders they were expected to be.
Meanwhile, the Raiders have lost four of their last five games and obviously are in desperate need of a win. They’ve struggled offensively of late but certainly possess the weapons . Remember that 36-point outburst in the Thanksgiving overtime win at Dallas. There’s some reason to think the Raiders can break out, but that’s not a new refrain.
Kansas City is a huge 10-point home favorite and should win, but that’s a big spread and the Raiders have a good chance of covering and making this game respectable.
Raiders Will Look Better Offensively
Things haven’t been great for Las Vegas on offense or defense as of late so matching up with a red hot Chiefs team right now isn’t particularly good luck for the Raiders. However, the good news for Las Vegas is that things probably can’t get much worse. Vegas didn’t score more than 16 points in any of their four games surrounding the Cowboy contest.
They still have Derek Carr, Josh Jacobs and other potent offensive players — Darren Waller is questionable — meaning they should be able to put some points up against a Chiefs’ defense that/s probably playing above its head.
So, if you’re making NFL predictions, consider taking the Raiders’ team total over 19½ points at -115. That’s not an especially high total and it’s a few points below what Las Vegas has averaged per game this season. Also, even though the Chiefs are eighth in scoring defense, they have allowed the seventh-most yards in the league.
Pick: Raiders Team Total – Over 19½ (-115)
Mahomes Is Going To Go Nuts
Opposing a shaky Raiders defense, expect Patrick Mahomes to have a big game, perhaps including some trademark trick plays by the Chiefs. Tyreek Hill is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL and could easily contribute a huge touchdown catch.
So, if you like NFL betting props, you could take over 42½ yards on the longest touchdown of the game at -115. A touchdown of 43+ yards isn’t an especially unreasonable expectation for two teams that have really explosive wide receivers as well as quarterbacks with big arms.
Pick: Longest TD in Game – Over 42½ Yards (-115)
Great Kicking Matchup
An underrated aspect of this particular matchup is how good both teams’ kickers are. Kansas City’s Harrison Butker and Las Vegas’ Daniel Carlson are as accurate as kickers get, from long range as well.
Carlson, in particular, attempts a ton of field goals as the Raiders’ offense isn’t particularly great on third downs. So, it could also be smart to take a kicking prop. The longest field goal in this game being over 47½ yards at -120 is an interesting choice. Butker and Carlson have each made five kicks of 50 or more yards this season.
Pick: Longest Field Goal – Over 47½ Yards (-120)
Chiefs Should Win But Might Not Cover
While this game doesn’t look like a great under candidate, it could be a situation where the favorite wins comfortably while not covering a pretty significant spread. Ten points is a lot to concede, even for a well-oiled machine in the Chiefs.
The Raiders haven’t been playing up to their level of ability and ought to be hungry to avenge their ugly 41-14 home loss to the Chiefs a few weeks ago. Look for Las Vegas to show sufficient fight early, hanging around in this rivalry rematch and actually providing a threat to Kansas City. Not having Waller hurts but Carr has had his moments this season.
Pick: Las Vegas Raiders +10 (-110)
