Game: Las Vegas Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Odds: Raiders +7, Chiefs -7
Total: 51.5
The Kansas City Chiefs will attempt to hold onto their lead in the AFC West on Monday night when they go up against their division rival, the visiting Las Vegas Raiders. The Chiefs (3-1) have thrashed the Raiders (1-3) by a cumulative score of 124-54 in their last three meetings. The Raiders have lost eight of the last nine encounters in Kansas City, while the Chiefs have won in 13 of the previous 15 meetings.
The Chiefs’ great start in 2022 has been largely due to starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He was a big part of last Sunday’s 41-31 triumph over Tampa Bay. Mahomes has passed for 1,106 yards and 11 touchdowns, which is tied for the most touchdown passes in the league. In addition, he has completed 66.4 of his throws so far, and his 82.3 quarterback rating leads the NFL.
Tight end Travis Kelce, with 26 receptions for 322 yards and three scores, and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19 receptions, 224 yards) are Mahomes’ top throwing targets. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the team’s leading rusher, averages 5.1 yards per run and has 208 yards and two touchdowns. Through four games, the Kansas City offense has scored 129 points, which is the best in the AFC.
Despite recently defeating the visiting Denver Broncos 32-23, the Raiders have struggled defensively. They rank in the lowest third of the league in both passing yards given up (1,015) and points allowed (100). Raiders first-year head coach Josh McDaniels, has mentioned the Chiefs’ offense as “eye candy.” Kansas City does a great job of confusing defenses with different looks. Over the past few years, the Chiefs have done a terrific job of misleading the Raiders.
Derek Carr, the Raiders’ quarterback, has passed for 1,038 yards and six touchdowns. He has thrown four interceptions. The relationship between Carr and his former college teammate, WR Davante Adams, has been a key to the Raiders’ offense so far this season. Adams has 290 yards and three touchdowns on 26 receptions. The Raiders’ failure to prevail in close games has been a problem. The Raiders’ three losses this year have been by a total of 13 points. In games decided by a single score in 2021, the Raiders were 7-2. They were able to make the playoffs before falling to the Cincinnati Bengals in the wild-card round.
Kicker Harrison Butker, who has missed the full week of practice due to an ankle injury he sustained in Week 1, isn’t likely to play for the Chiefs. If he is unable to go, the Chiefs will deploy Matthew Wright. In Sunday’s victory over Tampa Bay, Wright converted both of his field goals and all five of his extra points. Six of his eight kickoffs resulted in touchbacks as well.
In its last 15 games, Kansas City is 10-5 ATS and 14-3 SU. In the Chiefs’ last 12 games, the Over is 9-3, and in their last five games versus the Raiders, it is 4-1.
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