Chiefs vs. Raiders Point Spread: NFL Week 12 Odds, Prediction
The Raiders are coming off a narrow 20-13 loss in Miami last week, ending a two-game win streak, but have covered the spread in three straight games since anointing Antonio Pierce as head coach earlier this month. The Chiefs hit the road looking to spark their offence after failing to score after halftime in two straight outings, capped by last weekend’s 21-17 loss to Philadelphia that marked their second defeat in three games.
Despite scoring an average of just 15.7 points during their current 1-2 slide, the Chiefs enter the weekend perched as lofty 9-point road favourites on the NFL Week 12 odds. The Raiders lag as distant but attractive +310 home underdogs on the NFL moneyline, and the total is listed at 42.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Raiders have yet to bust out offensively, but have benefited from improved defensive play since Piece took over the coaching reins. Vegas has limited opponents to just 12.7 points per game during their current 2-1 run, and in addition to covering in three straight contests, the Raiders have also paid out in each of their four recent four wins while allowing just 12 points per game over that stretch. But will it be enough to sow down a Chiefs squad that has averaged 37 points per game while winning their past five meetings? Kansas City has emerged as a defensive force this season, allowing just 16.4 points per game, third best in the league. But the Chiefs offence is in dire need of a reset after scoring just four total touchdowns over their past three games, extending a steady 6-0 run for the UNDER.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were their worst enemy in last week’s grudge match with the Eagles. In addition to turning over the ball three times, Marquez Valdes-Scantling failed to pull in a perfectly thrown end zone pass by Patrick Mahomes in the dying moments that would have given the Chiefs the lead, and possibly the win. Mahomes connected on just 55.8% of pass attempts for just 177 yards and two scores, but also toss his fifth pick in five games. Travis Kelce has failed to maintain the form that generated over 300 receiving yards over a two-game stretch last month, averaging just 38.7 yards over the past three games and one score.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders also came within a failed end zone pass in the fourth quarter of possibly extending their win streak in last week’s loss to the Dolphins. The Las Vegas defence gave the Dolphins headaches all afternoon, forcing three takeaways, forcing the Dolphins to settle for just two field goals on three drives into Raiders territory after recess. Overall, the Raiders have allowed just three TD passes and no scoring runs over the past three games, and just one total scoring pass during their 4-0 run at home. Aidan O’Connell has been adequate in his debut as an NFL starting quarterback, tossing for touchdowns in the past two games, but was lit up for three picks last weekend, and has completed fewer than 60% of pass attempts in each of the past two games. The Raiders’ lone legit rushing threat, Josh Jacobs is coming off his weakest performance since Week 2, running for just 39 yards and averaging just 2.8 yards per attempt last weekend, and is scoreless in the past two games.
KC
LV