Just a few weeks ago, the Las Vegas Raiders were flying high at 5-2 and looked like they could possibly run away with the AFC West while the struggling Kansas City Chiefs were 3-4 and looking very vulnerable.
Las Vegas has lost four of five games since while the Chiefs have won five in a row heading into a big rivalry matchup this weekend in Kansas City.
The Chiefs look to extend their divisional lead over the Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers while the Raiders try to stop the bleeding.
The NFL betting lines really like the Chiefs in this one as they have Andy Reid’s team as double-digit home favorites.
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- Game: Las Vegas Raiders (6-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)
- Location: Arrowhead Stadium
- Day/Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Television: CBS
Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs Betting Lines
Team Point Spread Moneyline Over/Under Las Vegas Raiders +10 (-120) +340 o48 (-110) Kansas City Chiefs -10 (Ev) -420 u48 (-110) Head-to-Head
The Chiefs have dominated the Raiders recently, winning seven of the last eight matchups (six of the last seven if you start counting when Patrick Mahomes became Kansas City’s starting quarterback). Kansas City cruised to a 41-14 win in Week 10, as Mahomes threw for 406 yards and five touchdowns in a thorough beatdown of the Raiders in Las Vegas.
- The Raiders won in Kansas City last season and lost the rematch 35-31 at home. Kansas City leads the head-to-head series 69-54-2.
Las Vegas Raiders
Next game: at Cleveland Browns
Last Game
It was an ugly showing by the Raiders at home against the Washington Football Team last weekend, as they lost 17-15 on a last-second Brian Johnson field goal after Las Vegas scored nine unanswered points to come back in the fourth quarter.
The Raiders only mustered up six points through the first 45 minutes of the game and even a late flurry wasn’t enough. Las Vegas’ third-down struggles — they went 2-for-8 — loomed large.
Las Vegas lost outright as 1½-point home favorites. The over (47½ points) never had much of a chance.
Injury Report
The Raiders have a lengthy injury list. In the offensive backfield, Kenyan Drake (ankle surgery) is out for the rest of the season and Jalen Richard is on the COVID-19/reserve list. Linebackers Denzel Perryman and Nick Kwiatkowski are questionable after getting injured last week against Washington, while fellow linebackers Patrick Onwuasor and Cory Littleton are also listed as questionable.
Star tight end Darren Waller’s status is up in the air, as is defensive end Carl Nassib. So, the Raiders could be missing a lot of impact players on Sunday.
Kansas City Chiefs
Next game: at Los Angeles Chargers
Last Game
Kansas City’s 22-9 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday was never really in doubt. The Chiefs scored a touchdown on their first drive and never looked back. It wasn’t Kansas City’s most explosive offensive performance — only 267 yards from scrimmage — but the Chiefs’ defense made big plays in key moments and forced three Broncos turnovers, including a Daniel Sorensen pick-six.
The Chiefs comfortably covered as 8½-point favorites at home. The under (46½) hit with plenty of room to spare.
Injury Report
The Chiefs are a much healthier team right now. Offensive lineman Lucas Niang is questionable, as are cornerbacks Rashad Fenton (who missed the Denver game) and Chris Lammons (who left the Denver game early). Running back Jerick McKinnon, offensive tackle Mike Remmers, and defensive tackle Khalen Saunders are all on injured reserve.
Betting on the Game
This is a matchup of two teams going in opposite directions right now, and it’s hard to envision a scenario in which the Raiders are able to upset such a red-hot Chiefs team that has all of its weapons available. However, 10 points is a big spread for any team to cover and while the Raiders have really struggled lately, they’re still a .500 team and probably won’t just roll over on Sunday.
On the BetUS Sportsbook, the spread has been pretty consistent since it opened on Monday. Some other betting shops opened at nine points in favor of the Chiefs and have since moved up to 9½. Look for the line to settle right around the 10-point mark at most places with how both of these teams are headed in completely opposite directions.
The really impressive part of Kansas City’s recent hot streak is how well the defense has been playing. The Chiefs have allowed an average of just 11.2 points over the past five games, with three games in single digits.
Overall, Kansas City is eighth in scoring defense despite having allowed the 26th-most yards from scrimmage, which shows how opportunistic and clutch it has been to keep opponents off the board.
On the other hand, the Raiders have struggled in both aspects of the game. Their defense has allowed 32-plus points three times in the last five games and their offense has scored more than 16 points just once. Not a good combination.
If you’re making NFL predictions, consider the Raiders’ spread but don’t take the moneyline. Of course, +340 is great value on an underdog but it isn’t enough juice here considering how well Mahomes has done against the Raiders and how banged-up Las Vegas is.
From a betting online perspective, consider the over. The Chiefs’ offense has been clicking and even though Kansas City’s defense has been locked in, Las Vegas has enough weapons to put some points up early and to scratch a touchdown or two across in garbage time.
