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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs and … [+]
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The NFL schedule makers had high expectations when slating a Sunday Night matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens, but injuries have turned this potential AFC playoff preview into a risky situation for sports bettors.
The lookahead odds had lined this matchup as a pick’em, but a sting of injuries to the Ravens’ running back saw this line quickly swing in favor of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. What became a -2.5 in favor of KC moved to -4 following the Ravens’ Monday Night collapse against the Raiders, with the NFL odds eventually settling at -3.5.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens Betting Odds
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The initial swing in the NFL betting odds came with the news that the Ravens’ rushing attack would be severely limited, as both J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards went down the same week with season ending injuries. Despite the loss, the team still managed to rush for 189 yards in their opener. Baltimore turned to backup RB Ty’Son Williams, who saw nine carries for 65 yards in Week 1.
Baltimore will get another shot at developing their new running game against a KC defense that gave up 153 rushing yards in their opener against the Browns. This defense allowed a total of 457 yards on the day, the most allowed in Week 1 only behind the 491 allowed by the Ravens.
To balance any success the Ravens might find on the ground, Baltimore will rely on Lamar Jackson to ignite the air attack.
Jackson tossed for 235 yards in the Monday night loss, picking up an additional 86 yards with his feet. With plenty of targets downfield and his ability to create plays with his feet, Jackson should be able to keep the Chiefs defense honest.
Sports bettors should not be swayed by the Week 1 box scores, however, as injuries played a large part in the Chiefs’ lack of success on the defensive side of the ball.
The team was without Tyrann Mathieu, Frank Clark, and Willie Gay in the come-from-behind win over the Browns, but reports suggest that Mathieu and Clark should suit up Sunday night.
Kansas City’s defensive unit will apply plenty of pressure to Baltimore’s pieced together offensive line. Mathieu’s return will only allow KC more confidence when using complicated schemes that aim to disrupt offensive blocking assignments.
On the other side of the ball, Baltimore’s defense will attempt to disrupt one of the leagues most potent offensive units. Mahomes recorded 337 passing yards with three touchdowns in the opener, and many models already pencil him for at least two more in this matchup.
The Ravens gave up the most passing yards in Week 1 (409 yards), and this was against one of the weaker offensive unite in the league. Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill will be hard to contain for four quarters, and bettors can expect another subpar defensive effort by the Ravens.
Bet the Chiefs team total OVER, as I don’t trust the Ravens defensive unit to get the job done. This wager with a lean on a KC -3.5 cover look to be the play Sunday night.