Updated Odds to Win AFC West After Mahomes Injury: Chiefs Still Favored
- Patrick Mahomes suffered a serious knee injury in Week 7 against Denver
- Kansas City’s odds to repeat as AFC West champions have held steady at -350
- Despite Mahomes being sidelined for at least three weeks, Oakland’s odds are still +700
In the wake of a knee injury suffered by quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Thursday night, the Kansas City Chiefs’ odds to repeat as AFC West champions have held steady at -350 in the NFL futures.
Odds to Win AFC West
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | -350 |
| Oakland Raiders | +700 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +800 |
| Denver Broncos | +1000 |
*Odds taken on 10/19/19
Tough NFC North Opponents Await
The Chiefs’ NFL divisional odds improved to a season-best -620 before taking a dip during Kansas City’s two-game losing skid that ended with a 30-6 rout of the Denver Broncos on Thursday night.
But the win proved to be costly, with Mahomes suffering an ugly knee injury that will reportedly sideline him for at least three weeks after an MRI performed on Friday indicated he suffered no extensive damage.
Here is how #Chiefs trainers treated Patrick Mahomes’ knee injury. Looks like a dislocated kneecap to me. #KCvsDEN pic.twitter.com/60MnfVMlyl
— Cole Topham (@HamAnalysis) October 18, 2019
The short-term absence of Mahomes leaves the Chiefs with some difficult decisions to make as they prepare to face a pair of tough NFC North opponents. The Chiefs clash with the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football in Week 8, and follow up with a visit from the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9.
The Packers are enjoying a bounce-back campaign after missing the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. They enter Week 7 atop the NFC North standings with a 5-1 record.
Kansas City has produced mixed results in recent dates with Green Bay, losing two of three meetings since 2007, capped by a 38-28 loss at Lambeau Field back in 2015.
Packers, Vikings Shining on Defense
Green Bay has emerged as defensive force this season, surrendering just 19.2 points per game, while the Packers pass defense has allowed just six touchdowns while making seven interceptions. It’s vulnerable on the ground, but that’s not an area KC will be able to exploit with its
Vikings defense was suffocating on 3rd down vs the Eagles once again.. pic.twitter.com/tBFB7Lt3X4
— Luke Inman (@Luke_SpinmanNFL) October 16, 2019
The Vikings have also dominated on defense this season, and are coming off an impressive 38-20 rout of the Philadelphia Eagles as 3.5-point home chalk last weekend.
But while NFC North opponents present a massive challenge for the Chiefs, they can also do Kansas City big favors in their upcoming clashes with the surging Oakland Raiders, who now sit second to the Chiefs as a +700 bet on the AFC West odds.
Schedule Favors Raiders
Minnesota already beat Oakland 34-14 in Week 3, and it will be the Packers’ turn on Sunday, when they host Oakland as 5.5-point favorites in the Raiders vs Packers odds.
If the Raiders get a split these next two games (at Packers, at Texans), their schedule gets much more manageable…home vs Lions, Chargers, Bengals then at NY Jets. #oaklandraiders
— Phuc Yoo (@Ozmosis711) October 18, 2019
A road game against the AFC South-leading Houston Texans awaits the Raiders in Week 8 followed by yet another matchup with an NFC North opponent, the Detroit Lions, whom the Chiefs knocked off 34-30 last month. They then face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10.
After that, things get considerably easier for the Raiders with dates against Cincinnati and the New York Jets before what could be a season-defining clash with the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 13.
The Raiders’ schedule could provide them with a chance to keep pace with Kansas City in the AFC West standings, especially with KC relegated to Matt Moore under center the next few weeks.
The veteran backup performed admirably on Thursday night after Mahomes left the game, completing 10 of 19 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown. However, the 35-year-old has not started a game since Week 11 of the 2017 season, and has made just five total starts since the end of the 2011 campaign, including lopsided losses in his past three, all with the Miami Dolphins.
Who Takes Over Under Center?
Not surprisingly, the loss of Mahomes has fueled immediate speculation as to whether the Chiefs will now shop for a pivot to lead the team in the interim. No shortage of candidates exists, with the rumor mill focusing on the likes of Colin Kaepernick, Marcus Mariota, Eli Manning, and Josh Rosen.
"The talk is all about Mahomes this morning, and rightfully so. But four rookies had outstanding performances for the @Chiefs last night. Hardman, Thornhill, Saunders, and Fenton were all fantastic. So was the defense. This team raised their game after the injury." – @PSchrags pic.twitter.com/feiDV2v2cD
— GMFB (@gmfb) October 18, 2019
Regardless of who the Chiefs turn to under center, it is the Kansas City defense that will likely feel the pressure to perform in the weeks ahead. The defense turned in a pair of disappointing performances in recent home losses to the Colts and Texans, but was effective at limiting the Broncos to just 205 total yards on Thursday night.
Despite disappointing performances in recent home losses to the Colts and Texans, the Chiefs defense — and the team as a whole — has the pieces to keep the team in the AFC West driver’s seat until Mahomes returns.
Picks: Chiefs to win AFC West (-350)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
