KC Chiefs at LV Raiders

Time: 7:20 PM EST (TV: NBC)

Spread: KC -9

Total: 56.5

Odds c/o 5dimes

Kansas City travels to face the only team that beat it this season, the Las Vegas Raiders. The Chiefs are 9-point favorites in this rematch, which should as something equivalent to a statement game by both clubs. The Chiefs have a loss to answer for, as the Raiders look to protect its home field advantage at 7:20 (EST) on NBC and NBC Affiliates. Both teams enter gridlocked with EVEN odds according to NFL oddsmakers at bookmaker 5dimes.

KC

Kansas City has been great offensively thus far, and its defense receives more than its fair share of credit, for both its recent improvements and its overall status, in allowing just 20.3 points per game. Offensively, KC is ranking No. 1 in passing yards per game at 294.7, while it ranks No. 14 via the rush at 114.3 per game. Overall, the Chiefs generate 31.8 points per game, ranking No. 1 in the NFL. Defensive woes were suspected to be an issue, but there have been precious few with the “D” holding opponents to 20.3 per game.

Four of the Chiefs’ first five opponents scored 20 points or more, and the last time these two faced it was something of a defensive letdown, both because the Raiders managed a season-high against KC and because the Chiefs lost the game.

Kansas City was tied 24-24 at the half with the Raiders, but it was outscored 16-8 in the final quarter which amounted to the difference in the final total. Derek Carr of the Raiders threw for 347 yards and three TDs while the Raiders picked up another 144 yards on 35 carries.

The Chiefs got a fair game out of Pat Mahomes, but he was certainly far from his best, throwing an interception, suffering three sacks, and completing just over 50 percent of his looks. The backfield and rush game was ineffective, generating just four yards-per-carry, though the Chiefs were able to utilize the ground game to manage a couple of rushing touchdowns, one from Mahomes and the other on a handoff to Tyreek Hill.

Travis Kelce did work catching the ball. He led the Chiefs last week in catches (eight), yardage (108), and he scored one of the team’s two receiving touchdowns. The Chiefs had four receiving options with 40 yards or better last week, but it also allowed the Raiders to work its air game, and the Chiefs secondary surrendered three touchdowns, one apiece to the top-3 Raiders passing options.

Mahomes thus far this season has thrown 66.9 percent for completion, but he averages just 8.2 yards-per-catch. He has thrown 25 TDs with just one pick, and his six sacks (1.33 per game) are tolerable, though 75-yards is a substantial loss on those plays. Even so, Mahomes has a passer rating of 115.9, and he has rushed for 171 yards this season on 35 carries, managing 4.9 yards-per. Mahomes also ties the team-lead in rushing touchdowns with two, while lead back Clyde Edwards-Helaire manages 4.2 yards-per-carry on his 81 attempts with a pair of touchdowns and a team-best 29 first downs.

LV

Las Vegas has won its last three games over the Cleveland Browns, LA Chargers, and Denver Broncos to emerge with a 5-3 mark and a second-place seating in the AFC West, which is led by its 8-1 opponent today. Interestingly, its lone loss comes to Las Vegas…

The Raiders have a well-rounded offense, featuring a No. 7 ranked rush offense that generates 139.2 yards per game. The Raiders rank No. 8 in scoring, putting up 28.3 points per game. Unfortunately, the defense is not as strong, giving up 26.8 to finish with a point differential of +1.5.

The Raiders “O” relies on the talents of QB Derek Carr. He has thrown 69.3 percent for completion with over 2,156 yards through eight games, and his passer rating is an outstanding 107.4

Carr has 16 touchdowns with just two interceptions, and he has been sacked only 1.6 times per game. He has rushed 23 times for 108 yards and has 10 first down rushes this season on just 23 rushing attempts. That aspect has proven vital, even with Josh Jacobs rushing 161 times this season already and having racked up six Touchdowns. Devontae Booker has attempted just 33 rushes, but he leads the team with 6.8 yards-per-attempt and has managed one touchdown.

In terms of receiving targets, Carr has four big ones, with Josh Jacobs coming out of the backfield to sometimes provide a fifth. Darren Waller leads the team in yardage at 431, but he has caught 53 passes to a tune of about eight yards per catch. The tight end leads the team in first downs with 30 and ranks No. 2 in scoring with four receiving touchdowns.

Hunter Renfrow is the top-ranking wideout with 399 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to ranking No. 2 in first downs with 18. Jacobs has caught 23 of 30 targeted passes but averages just 6.5 yards-per-catch and has just three first downs via receiving, to go with his 43 rushing first downs.