Detroit Lions vs Kansas City Chiefs Public Betting for Season Opener
- In NFL public betting, the spread splits are solidly backing the 4.5-point home favorite Kansas City Chiefs over the Detroit Lions in their NFL season opener on Thursday, September 7
- However, moneyline splits are divided between the Lions and Chiefs
- The over is now getting the majority of the action in the Lions vs Chiefs NFL betting splits on the total of 53 points
As the spread has been moving toward the visiting Detroit Lions in their NFL season opener at the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, NFL public betting trends are shifting toward the Chiefs in the Lions vs Chiefs public betting.
A line that opened as high as KC -8.5 points in the Lions vs Chiefs odds at some online sports betting sites has since shortened to Chiefs -4.5. When it comes to moneyline splits, the public betting is divided. As far as the total of 53 points, the people are drifting over to the over.
Let’s take a look at how the public betting is responding in all of these categories to this Lions vs Chiefs game. But first, let’s have a look at the latest betting trends on the game as of 1pm ET on Thursday.
Lions vs Chiefs Betting Percentages
| Team | Spread | ATS Handle% | ATS Bet% | Total Points | O/U Handle% | O/U Bet% | Moneyline | ML Handle% | ML Bet% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | +4.5 | 31% | 35% | 53 | 51% | 61% | +180 | 51% | 40% |
| Kansas City Chiefs | -4.5 | 69% | 65% | 53 | 49% | 39% | -218 | 49% | 60% |
In the Lions vs Chiefs odds, the Chiefs are -218 moneyline favorites, giving them a 68.55% implied win probability. Kickoff is set for 8:20pm ET at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The broadcast is being carried by NBC and DAZN in Canada.
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Odds as of September 7 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Be sure to claim a DraftKings promo code to bet on Lions vs Chiefs and other Week 1 NFL action. Right now DraftKings is also offering a No Sweat Bet on Thursday, Sunday and Monday. Opt-in to claim your daily token to use on singles, parlays, SGPs, an SGPx and live bets. If your bet loses you’ll be credited back with a bonus bet of up to $10.
Public Betting On Spread Going for Chiefs
The absence of Chiefs All-Pro DT Chris Jones due to a contract holdout, coupled with the hyperextended knee that’s leaving another KC All-Pro, TE Travis Kelce, as a questionable starter, is playing havoc with the betting line for this game.
Once as long as KC -8.5 points, today the spread is shortened to KC -4.5 at most major online NFL betting apps. Even prior to the Kelce injury, the line had shortened to Chiefs -6.5.
#Chiefs owner Clark Hunt on @GMFB, on Travis Kelce: "We hope that he'll be able to go tonight. He'll be a game-time decision, but he's somebody who loves to compete, so I wouldn't bet against him being on the field tonight."
Still up in the air. But some optimism…
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 7, 2023
At that time, there was significant public betting action on favored Kansas City. In NFL spreads, the Chiefs were drawing 66% of handle and 64% of bets. The correction in the line has continued to grow Kansas City as the apple of the public betting eye. Currently, the Chiefs are drawing 69% of handle and 65% of bets in the spread splits.
Public bettors are likely looking at the fact that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is 7-3 against the spread in season openers with KC. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes in 4-1 ATS in Week 1. However, Detroit QB Jared Goff is a perfect 6-0 ATS in his Week 1 starts when looking at NFL Week 1 betting trends.
NFL Betting Splits Anticipate Big Total for Lions vs Chiefs
These were two of the NFL’s most explosive offenses during the 2022 season. Kansas City was #1 in the NFL in scoring offense, putting up 29.2 points per game. The Lions were fifth overall at 26.6 PPG. The game should offer plenty of options in the Lions vs Chiefs props.
Three times KC topped 40 points. The Chiefs cleared 30 points in six other games. Detroit also went over 40 points in three games and scored at least 30 in five other contests. On the other side of the ball, the Lions were the NFL’s #29 scoring defense, allowing 25.1 PPG. KC was 16th, permitting 21.1 PPG. But the Chiefs will be missing a big defensive difference maker in Jones.
Goff and Mahomes combined for an INSANE performance back in 2018.
More fireworks coming tonight 🎆 pic.twitter.com/lAWLjMQT1u
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 7, 2023
Let’s also not forget the only previous time that Mahomes and Goff met on the football field. In the Week 11 MNF game in 2018, Goff led the Los Angeles Rams to a 54-51 win over Mahomes and the Chiefs in LA.
Public bettors certainly haven’t forgotten. The over on the total of 53 points is getting 51% of handle and 61% of bets. The Chiefs were 4-8 last season when the total was set at 50+ points. In games last season with a total of 50+ points, Detroit was 4-2.
NFL Public Betting Trends Divided On Detroit-KC Moneyline
Just in the past day there’s been significant movement in the moneyline on this game. Kansas City was a -230 favorite on Wednesday. Today, the Chiefs are set as the -218 chalk.
Public bettors are divided in which way to play the moneyline. Detroit is garnering 51% of moneyline handle, while Kansas City is getting 60% of the public moneyline bets. On day earlier, the handle was 54% with Detroit, but the bets are going 63% on Kansas City, so there’s been movement in both categories.
Detroit is 5-1 straight up over the past six games. Kansas City is 8-0 SU over the last eight games and 13-1 through the past 14 games.
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An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
