Chiefs Quickly Vault to 10-Point Favorites After Opening as 9-Point Chalk vs Raiders in Week 13

• Kansas City Chiefs have quickly jumped to 10-point home favorites in Week 13 date with Oakland
• Plagued by injuries, Chiefs enjoyed a much needed bye in Week 12
• We predict below if the Raiders will face diminished confidence at the sportsbooks after Sunday’s 34-3 loss to the New York Jets

The Kansas City Chiefs have opened as 10-point home favorites in next Sunday’s clash with the division rival Oakland Raiders in NFL Week 13 betting.

Raiders vs Chiefs Opening Odds

*Odds taken 11/24/19

Chiefs on the Mend Following Week 12 Bye

Kansas City remains perched atop the AFC West standings with a 7-4 record, one game up on Oakland going into next Sunday afternoon’s Raiders vs Chiefs matchup at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs return to action after enjoying a much-needed bye in Week 12. Kansas City posted a 24-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers as 5.5-point road chalk in their last outing in Week 11, but have failed to record consecutive wins since opening on a 4-0 SU tear, going 3-4 SU in its past seven outings.

In Patrick Mahomes' first game back from injury, Andy Reid protected him with a quick passing game.

Mahomes threw 62% of his attempts in under 2.50 seconds (career-high), though he's been at his best this season when holding onto the ball longer.#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/icXJ6XAyEA

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 13, 2019

Injuries have played a big role in the Chiefs’ recent struggles. Hobbled by a nagging ankle injury early on in the campaign, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was forced to miss two games due to a knee injury suffered in a Week 7 win in Denver, topping a list of injured Chiefs that has also featured defensive end Alex Okafor, guard Andrew Wylie, receivers Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins, and rushers LeSean McCoy and Damien Williams.

Injury Woes Reflected in the Odds

The Chiefs’ battle with the injury bug has not been overlooked at the sportsbooks, where they have struggled at times to maintain strong opening positions as betting favorites in recent weeks. In the wake of their first loss of the season, to Indianapolis, the Chiefs plummeted from 8-point chalk in the opening odds to narrow 4-point favorites a 31-24 loss to Houston.

Kansas City Chiefs injuries tonight:

– Chris Jones out with groin injury.

– Xavier Williams out with ankle injury.

– Anthony Hitchens out with groin injury.

– Sammy Watkins out with hamstring injury.

– Patrick Mahomes limping to sideline.#ChiefsKingdom #INDvsKC

— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) October 7, 2019

Their shaky performance in the NFL odds continued in Mahomes’ absence, with the team enduring a roller coaster ride on the odds board before eventually sliding from 3-point opening underdogs to +6 on home turf in a 31-24 loss to Green Bay. And there was more of the same a week later against the Minnesota Vikings, with Kansas City tumbling to 5.5-point home underdogs by game time after opening as 4-point underdogs in a 26-23 loss.

After enjoying the week off, the Chiefs look poised to hit the gridiron with a largely healthy lineup in next weekend’s date with the Raiders, a contest that will also go a long way in determining this season’s AFC West champions

After enjoying the week off, the Chiefs look poised to hit the gridiron with a largely healthy lineup in next weekend’s date with the Raiders, a contest that will also go a long way in determining this season’s AFC West champions. A recent history of dominance over Oakland on home turf, where they have posted six straight wins over the Raiders, could also play a factor. In addition, the Raiders’ dismal play of late on the road is likely to due little to inspire sports bettor confidence as the week progresses.

Confidence in Raiders Eroded by Dismal Loss to Jets

The Raiders are positioned to enter game action as double-digit underdogs for the first time this season after turning in a forgettable performance in Sunday’s 34-3 loss to the New York Jets that marks their third straight loss in contests away from RingCentral Coliseum.

https://twitter.com/NFLFBGAMETIME/status/1198695446564130816?s=20

Despite their subpar play, the Raiders have demonstrated resilience in the odds ahead of recent road contests, holding steady after opening as 3-point chalk in their Week 12 loss in New York, while seeing the line move in their favor ahead of their defeats in Houston and Green Bay.

But with the Raiders failing an important test against the Jets, and sporting a dismal 1-4 SU record this season against teams currently in the hunt for a playoff spot, expect the recent confidence placed in them at the sportsbooks in recent weeks to erode, and the odds to continue to tilt in Kansas City’s favor ahead of next Sunday’s season-defining matchup.