Peyton Manning had one of the worst games of his career to open up the 2015 season, throwing for just 175 yards with a pick. He could once again prove to be a liability in prop betting instead of an asset for bettors when his Denver Broncos take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football in Week 2.
MANNING UP TO MANNING
The Ravens probably set the M.O. for what we're going to see the rest of the season out of teams against Manning. They're going to play man-to-man and send six and seven guys after him early and often. They're going to clog up the middle and force him to get the ball to the outside, where it just doesn't seem like his arm is nearly as strong now as it was before.
This game could end up being a field day for the Kansas City defense as a result. Last week against Houston, Tamba Hali and Justin Houston were all over the place. We grant you, that game came against Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett, not Manning, but the concept here is going to be the same, especially with Ryan Clady not out there blocking on the future Hall of Famer's blindside.
Just remember that in Manning's last three games combined, he has exactly one touchdown pass, hasn't completed even 60 percent of his passes in any game, and has averaged less than six yards per pass attempt.
Still, the oddsmakers have to put up relatively high numbers here. Manning is still expected to throw for 4,000+ yards and 30+ touchdowns even after his dud of a game against the Ravens. Can a number as low as maybe 240 yards really be put up on Manning? If so, it might be best to realize that his arm resembles that of a wet noodle right now, and going against a team like Kansas City which is going to play conservative offense and limit possessions, the under is probably a good idea.
CHARLES IN CHARGE
Jamaal Charles is the superstar on the other side of the field in this one. Even though the Chiefs were all over the Texans for most of the 27-20 win last week at NRG Stadium, Charles was relatively quiet, posting 57 yards on 15 carries with five catches, 46 yards and a TD as a receiver. By most standards, that's a pretty darn good day. By Charles' standards, he should be doing better.
Now, he'll get his chance in his team's first home game.
The Broncos had a nice game plan last week against Justin Forsett, but this is a tougher draw against a KC offense which won't beat itself under any circumstance. Alex Smith is going to work the ball underneath quite a bit, and when the ball gets down near the end zone, you know who is going to end up getting it.
The odds on Charles to score a touchdown in this game are probably going to end up being relatively chalky. That said, if we can get anything less than about -200 or so on that price, we recognize that it very well could be worthwhile to take the plunge. Not only did Charles reach the end zone last week, but he now has 34 trips to the end zone in his last 31 games dating back two seasons, making him one of the safest bets in the league for a running back.
BookMaker opened the spread for this Thursday soiree at -1.5 in favor of the Kansas City Chiefs. The NFL odds total surfaced at 46. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2015, at 8:30 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium. The game will be broadcast regionally on CBS and the NFL Network.
