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Chiefs Open as 10-Point Favorites vs Texans in Opening Game of 2020 NFL Season

Eric Rosales

by Eric Rosales in NFL Football

Updated Mar 9, 2021 · 4:40 PM PST

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throwing a pass during a game.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) thows during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
  • The Kansas City Chiefs kick off 2020 NFL season hosting the Houston Texans
  • KC beat Houston last year 51-31 in divisional playoff, after falling behind 21-0
  • Get the odds and all the info you need to bet the NFL opener below

A lot of things have changed in the last few months. In NFL terms, however, the Kansas City Chiefs are still the best team in football, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes is most electric player in the sport.

So it’s no wonder the NFL wants to showcase its brightest star to kick off the 2020 campaign, as the Chiefs open on Thursday Night Football against the Houston Texans.

It might be May, but it’s never to early to wager.

Houston Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Houston Texans +10 (-110) +330 Over 55.5 (-110)
Kansas City Chiefs -10 (-110) -435 Under 55.5 (-110)

Odds taken May 7

After a mini-blip in scheduling a year ago, where the Super Bowl winner was not the team that kicked off the next regular season (resulting in a Packers 10-3 snoozer over the Bears), the defending champs are must-see TV.

Checking the NFL Week 1 odds, this line could mess with your betting chops early. Let’s break it down.

Texans Return to Scene of the Blowout

In one of the wildest games of the NFL season, Houston was in the driver’s seat on the road in the AFC Divisional Playoff, up 21-0 before some fans may have even got to their seats.

A blowout was in the works, but not the one everyone was expecting. The Chiefs were the living embodiment of the nitrus switch, pumping in the next seven touchdowns, outscoring the Texans 51-10 the rest of the way en route to a 51-31 win.

Since then, the Texans have been an offseason mess, starting with the baffling trade of DeAndre Hopkins for low draft picks and a degrading back in David Johnson.

They also needed record-setting totals to resign Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, since GM Bill O’Brien was too busy being coach Bill O’Brien, and didn’t lock in Tunsil to a long-term deal when surrendering two first round picks and second round pick to acquire him.

Thankfully, O’Brien still has quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is talented enough to cover his bountiful blunders.

Business as Usual For Explosive Chiefs

As for the Chiefs, they’ve returned an offense that pumped in 28.2 points per game, generating just under 380 yards of total offense a contest, and a league-leading 18 plays of 40 yards or more.

And this was with Mahomes not exactly healthy all year, as nagging ankle and leg injuries hobbled him, before missing two games with a dislocated kneecap.

Having Mahomes is the unfair cheat code the NFL will need to figure out for at least the next decade. In two full years as a starter, he’s put together a 50-TD, 5,000-yard regular season MVP campaign, and a Super Bowl title and Super Bowl MVP season.

Super Bowl 59 Odds for 2025: 49ers Open as Favorites, But Chiefs Are Close Second
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With head coach Andy Reid still drawing up innovative offense, the Chiefs should be putting a hurt on most teams in 2020.

How Should You Be Wagering?

The 10-point line seems to be set right around the sweet spot, as the Chiefs under Mahomes have opened the last two regular seasons with double-digit wins — a 40-26 romp over Jacksonville in 2019, and a 38-28 win against the Chargers in 2018. Both were also on the road.

The line could move slightly if oddsmakers want to nitpick: the Chiefs were 1-3 at home to start 2019. Their lone win was a 5-point win over the Ravens, and one of their losses were against these same Houston Texans. Watson was amazing in outdueling Mahomes, throwing for 280 yards and a score, while running in two others.

If you believe that Watson and the Texans are capable of crashing the party, you should jump on this line now. Thinking Chiefs? Maybe you should hold out, as this line could shift to 9.5-to-9.0 points as we get closer to kickoff.

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