Chiefs vs. Raiders Point Spread: NFL Week 18 Odds, Prediction
Both teams have been eliminated from the playoff picture and are missing their starting quarterbacks. All things considered, don’t be surprised if it is an ugly affair to wrap up what has been a disappointing season for each side.
Unsurprisingly, the Chiefs have absolutely dominated the head-to-head series of late. They are 9-1 dating back to the 2020 season and 19-3 dating back to 2014. Their first meeting this year resulted in a 31-0 home victory for Kansas City.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Kansas City is 1-7 against the spread in its last eight contests, 0-5 ATS in its last five road games and 1-3 ATS in the last four head-to-head matchups. Las Vegas is 2-5 ATS in its last four overall and 1-3 ATS in its last four at home. As for the over/under, the under is 10-1 in the Chiefs’ last 11 outings and 3-1 in the last four head-to-head. However, the over is 4-1 in the Raiders’ past five games.
In addition to the more traditional lines, the first-quarter spread is -0.5 in Kansas City’s favour and the first-half spread is -3.5. The first-quarter over/under is 6.5; the first-half over/under is 17.5.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have reached the finish line of a brutal season, but at least you can count on them playing hard all the way until the end. Kansas City lost to Denver by just seven points on Christmas Day in a game that was competitive for all 60 minutes. Since it played on Thursday last week, head coach Andy Reid’s squad is basically playing on a mini-bye. Give Reid extra preparation time and good things usually happen for his team.
Kansas City is down to Chris Olodakun under center with both Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew sidelined by torn ACLs. Still, the Chiefs scored a somewhat decent 13 points against the Broncos – arguably the best defence in the entire NFL. You have to think they will score more than that against arguably the worst.
Las Vegas Raiders
If you think the Chiefs are undermanned, consider the state of the Raiders. Quarterback Geno Smith is not expected to play due to an ankle injury, and the team has already shut down tight end Brock Bowers and defensive end Maxx Crosby – its two best players. Las Vegas’ defence was already terrible with Crosby on the field; without him, it could be downright diabolical.
Even when the Raiders were putting forth a respectable effort in games earlier this season, they were still losing big almost every time out. Now they have an obvious reason to lose with the No. 1 draft pick on the line and playoff aspirations having evaporated many weeks ago. Las Vegas did not even try to hide its disinterest during a 34-10 loss to the Giants – the other team in contention for the top pick – in Week 17.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Chiefs vs. Raiders?
The Raiders have not just been losing games in recent weeks; they have been utterly humiliated. Head coach Pete Carroll’s crew has an incentive to lose games, and it is playing like it. At least Kansas City is playing hard. This may not be as lopsided as the first meeting of the season, but this is another one that should go in the Chiefs’ favour. Let’s say Chiefs 24, Raiders 14.
KC
LV