Chiefs’ Super Bowl Odds Don’t Improve After Beating Browns Because of Mahomes Injury
- Kansas City is still the favorite in the latest Super Bowl odds despite quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ uncertain status after Sunday’s 22-17 win vs. Cleveland
- Mahomes threw for 255 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score before suffering a concussion in the third quarter
- See below for information and analysis on whether or not the Chiefs are a good bet to win it all
The No. 1 seed Kansas City Chiefs began their postseason quest to earn back-to-back Super Bowl titles thanks to a 22-17 win over the Cleveland Browns Sunday. But it was a costly victory as star quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a concussion in the third quarter. Backup Chad Henne entered the game and threw a costly interception, but converted a critical fourth down late in the fourth as KC held off the Browns.
With the win, the franchise advances to the AFC Championship game for a third-straight season. But the big question is Mahomes’ status moving forward as he’s currently in concussion protocol. As a result of the uncertainty, Andy Reid’s team’s Super Bowl odds are roughly the same as they were coming into Sunday at +210. KC entered the playoffs at +220 and Sunday’s game with +200 odds to hoist the Lombardi Trophy for a second straight year on Feb. 7.
Did Henne show enough against the Browns to think he can lead the team over the red-hot Bills if he Mahomes can’t go? We handicap their chances and offer betting advice.
2021 Super Bowl Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +210 |
| Green Bay Packers | +240 |
| Buffalo Bills | +260 |
| New Orleans Saints | +600 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +900 |
Odds updated January 17
Henne Given Sunday
Twitter went berserk when the Chiefs star QB suffered a head injury on a run in which he failed to pick up a yard on a third-and-one play in the third quarter. Mahomes struggled to gain his balance as he tried to get up after being tackled. Even Mahomes got into the act.
#HenneThingIsPossible pic.twitter.com/2TkkWiyf0p
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 17, 2021
Enter Chad Henne. Henne went 6-of-8, 66 yards and a costly pick that helped Cleveland almost pull off the colossal upset. But these Chiefs are talented and win close games.
Close call Chiefs.
Each of Kansas City’s last 8 wins (regular + postseason) have been by 6 points or fewer. pic.twitter.com/YAOD0rWUcA
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 17, 2021
On a third-and-14 play with two minutes left, Henne scrambled to the left and was stopped just short of a first down at the Browns’ 47-yard line. Reid then made a major gamble by going for it on fourth down and inches, and Henne was able to hit wide receiver Tyreek Hill for five yards and a game-clinching first down and the game.
It’s those kind of calls that has Reid’s players believe in him — and why bettors might want to believe in KC with or without their franchise player against Buffalo.
Worthy Opponent
The Ravens were on the verge of tying Saturday’s Divisional playoff game with the Bills at 10 apiece late in the third quarter. But, then, Taron Johnson made a play one yard deep in Buffalo’s end zone that will forever be remembered in Bills franchise lore.
The 101-yard pick six — which tied an NFL playoff record — essentially put the game away.
Taron Johnson (101-yard INT Return TD)
Taron Johnson reached a top speed of 20.39 MPH on this pick-six, Jackson's first INT in the red zone of his career.
Five different players reached 20+ MPH: #23 Hyde, #24 Johnson, #27 White, #43 Hill & #8 Jackson#BALvsBUF | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/tUoc0Pze5C
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 17, 2021
Quarterback Josh Allen went 23-of-37 passing for 206 yards and one touchdown. But it was the Bills’ defense, highlighted by Johnson’s momentum-shifting interception, that was key to the franchise’s first divisional round win in 27 years.
Meantime, the Chiefs beat the Bills 26-17 in Week 6 of the 2020 season. Mahomes put up an efficient 225 yards on 21-of-26 passing, with a pair of touchdowns. Allen, on the other hand, did not play well. The third-year MVP candidate was only 14-of-27 passing for 127 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
With Buffalo playing the way they are (they’ve won eight in a row, including two straight in the postseason after losing their previous six playoff games), this is the type of team that won’t be intimidated by vaunted Kansas City.
Quarterback is Key
We mentioned all three potential signal callers Sunday at Arrowhead. Even in blustery western New York conditions, Buffalo’s three rush attempts tied for the fewest in the first half of a playoff game over the past 70 seasons. McDermott and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll have the utmost confidence in Allen. And when you have receivers like Stefon Diggs, who caught 127 passes for 1,535 yards and eight touchdowns this season, it’s easy to see why. Plus, he’s highly motivated to avenge that regular season loss.
Of course, Mahomes is the best player in the league right now. He was the NFL MVP in 2018 and the Super Bowl MVP last year. Now, he’s on the verge of joining an elite club of QBs that have won back-to-back titles. But will he play? If Henne gets the start, I like Buffalo in this spot. As noted above, KC is still formidable without Mahomes. But I love the Bills right now. If Mahomes can go, how effective will the superstar be coming off the concussion and a foot injury he tweaked Sunday?
I’d stay away from KC and invest in Green Bay.
Blair Johnson is a veteran journalist and seasoned sports content creator. He has been writing and producing content as long as he can remember, with such familiar names as CNN, NFL Media and Yahoo. Blair currently lives and works in the greater Los Angeles area.
