Kansas City Chiefs at Green Bay Packers
Thursday, 9/1/11, 8:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Green Bay -4.5
Current Betting Line: Green Bay -2.5
Opening Total: 38
Current Total: 37
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Kansas City has managed to score just 23 points in losing its first three preseason games this year and has yet to pick up an against-the-spread victory during Todd Haley’s two-plus years on the sidelines. “I’ve got a lot of believe in these guys and we’ll get something done,” Haley commented this week in camp. “But there’s sense of urgency because September 11 is coming up on us very quickly.” The Chiefs have upped the intensity in practice this week as it heads to cutting down to a 53-man roster and many players believe things will turn around during the regular season. Kansas City is 0-10 ATS in its last 10 preseason games.
The Chiefs were the No. 1 rushing offense in the NFL a year ago, but things have started off slow during the 2011 exhibition season. Kansas City has managed to gain just 238 yards in three games, which is an average of 79.3 yards a contest. An even more alarming fact is the trio of perceives starters in the backfield have had 17 of their first 35 carries go for two yards or less.
Green Bay has won consecutive games since dropping its preseason opener on the road against the Cleveland Browns, including a 24-21 come-from-behind victory over the Indianapolis Colts last week. The Packers first-team offense was incredibly sharp, as quarterback Aaron Rodgers connected on 19-of-23 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown. It’s likely that he will remain on the sidelines in the final prep game, which was head coach Mike McCarthy’s approach last year. Green Bay is 6-4 ATS in its last 10 preseason games and 4-2 ATS as a favorite over that span.
The Packers have met the Chiefs 12 previous times in the preseason and trail in the series, 6-5-1, including a 17-13 loss at Arrowhead Stadium in 2010. Green Bay last hosted in preseason action in this series back in 1992, a 21-14 victory. Some concerns came about last week versus the Colts, especially the offensive line play, as Rodgers was sacked four times during his 30 minutes of action. The unit has allowed an NFL-high 14 sacks in three games. Backup signal-caller Matt Flynn will likely be in the line of fire, but will look forward to facing the Chiefs’ secondary for a season-straight year. He connected on 23-of-37 passes for 304 yards last year.
Bettors will likely back the Packers due to their 42-34 ATS mark in the preseason, while the Chiefs are 13-28 ATS as an exhibition underdog.
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