Only one team since 1970 had ever started a season 1-5 and qualified for the postseason. Make that two, thanks to the Chiefs’ franchise record-tying nine-game winning streak. The Raiders were victim number six in the run, with Kansas City posting a 34-20 win in Oakland one month ago.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Kansas City Chiefs -7
Oakland Raiders +7
Over/Under 45
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Chiefs have a playoff spot secured but can still win the division. The game was flexed to a later start and will be played at the same time the Broncos play so there is no advantage. Kansas City is 7-2 ATS during its nine-game win streak with both losses coming as 11.5-point faves. The 7-point spread is more manageable. The total fell to 43.5.
KEY INJURIES
Marcel Reece – Oakland’s Pro Bowl fullback was suspended four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, making him ineligible for Sunday’s season finale and the first three games of next season.
Tamba Hali – Missed the last game after having surgery on his broken right thumb and is questionable to play Sunday. Kansas City was also without its other pass-rushing linebacker as Justin Houston is still shelved while recovering from a hyperextended knee. Dee Ford and Rick Zombo were starters in their place.
KEY MISMATCH
The Chiefs made a big investment in receiver Jeremy Maclin during the offseason, one the franchise believed it had to make given their lack of options. Maclin considered staying with the Eagles as a free agent, but ultimately signed a $55 million, five-year deal with Kansas City. And the Chiefs are happy he did, considering their only receiver with a track record of production was Dwayne Bowe, and his five receptions this season prove how far he’s dropped off. Maclin had a touchdown reception last week against Cleveland and eclipsed 1,000 yards for the season, a rare feat under coach Andy Reid and exactly what the Chiefs hoped for when they signed him. He has 84 receptions for 1,034 yards and seven touchdowns – seven more than all Chiefs receivers had combined last season. Maclin is the first Chiefs receiver with more than 1,000 yards since 2011, and only the fourth under Reid to reach that mark. More importantly, he gives quarterback Alex Smith a comfortable target.
KEY STAT
18.0 – Kansas City’s points per game allowed. The Chiefs have the second-ranked scoring defense in the NFL and have given up just 12.3 points per game during their winning streak. They’ll face Oakland’s 16th-ranked scoring offense.
BETTING ANGLE
The Chiefs simply believe they can win every time they step on the field. A lot of teams like to say they believe in their chances for victory, but few consistently display that attitude whether against good teams or bad ones. Kansas City’s nine-game winning streak is littered with opponents that carry less than impressive records. The eight teams the Chiefs have beaten – including San Diego twice – show only two teams with winning records: Denver and Pittsburgh. Former Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil had a list of goals for his team to claim victory. One of those was to keep losing teams losing. The 2015 Chiefs have been able to do that and they are in the playoffs because of it.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
The Chiefs aren’t spectacular at what they do, they just do it better than anyone else. And because of that they’re in the playoffs after stringing nine straight wins together. As incredible as it sounds, Kansas City can still win the AFC West with a win and a Denver loss this Sunday. Who would have thought that after a 1-5 start and losing Jamal Charles. The Raiders could be playing their last game as Oakland with a move to the Los Angeles area a possibility. The emotion was drained in last week’s home victory over San Diego and, besides, it’s not like this hasn’t happened before. The team moved to LA for the 1982 season and spent 13 seasons there before heading back up north. So forgive the Chiefs if they’re not all teary-eyed about the possibility. They have more important things to take care of. Again, the Chiefs won’t wow us. Smith will lead an efficient offense and the KC defense will come up with some big plays on turnovers because that’s what they do.
Kansas City 27, Oakland 16
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