Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs welcome the Las Vegas Raiders to Arrowhead Stadium for the NFL’s first-ever Black Friday game, which starts at 8pm for punters in the UK and Ireland.
The Chiefs are top of the AFC thanks to a seemingly impressive 10-1 record, but Andy Reid’s men have not been eye-catching in the manner of their victories and needed a last-gasp field goal to defeat a poor Carolina Panthers team last weekend.
However, Patrick Mahomes and his team-mates remain one of the leading Lombardi Trophy candidates on reputation alone and it’s no surprise to see them heavily favoured in this AFC West clash with the 2-9 Raiders.
The odds suggest that Kansas City will move to 11-1, but we’re keen to take them on – to a point at least – in a three-leg bet builder which pays out at just under 8/1.
Kansas City Chiefs v Las Vegas Raiders tips
- Las Vegas Raiders Handicap +10.5
- Aidan O’Connell over 208.5 passing yards
- DeAndre Hopkins over 0.5 receiving touchdowns
- BetBuilder Odds – 35/4
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Raiders can stay in touch at Arrowhead
Make no mistake, the Chiefs deserve to be favourites in a home clash with their struggling divisional rivals, but all is not well with the reigning champions and their offence has looked blunt for much of the season.
Mahomes’ presence always gives Kansas City a chance and the generational quarterback has dragged his team over the line on several occasions this year.
However, eight of the Chiefs’ 10 wins have come in one-score games – the exceptions were a 13-point victory over the Saints and a 10-point triumph over the 49ers, both in October – and they have failed to cover the handicap in their last five outings.
The Bills are the only truly elite team who the Chiefs played in that stretch, which included a nine-point win over the Raiders at the Allegiant Stadium at the end of last month.
Aidan O’Connell returns at quarterback for Vegas, replacing the injured Gardner Minshew, and, while he has his limitations and is unlikely to set the world alight, he might not have enough to keep this game close.
O’Connell to step up in Minshew’s absence
For all the praise heaped on the Chiefs’ defence, they have been ordinary against the pass and O’Connell could make an impact through the air on his return as the Raiders’ starter.
The second-year QB threw for more than 208 yards in seven of his 11 starts last year, a total he also surpassed against a well-regarded Steelers defence in October despite Las Vegas going on to lose 32-13.
The Raiders are likely to play from behind in this contest and O’Connell will be forced to air the ball out, with sensational rookie tight end Brock Bowers among his top targets.
Veteran Hopkins could find the end zone
Kansas City running backs Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco top the list of likely touchdown scorers, but there could be better value in backing veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins to find the end zone for the home team.
DHop made his Chiefs debut against the Raiders in Week 8 and didn’t make much impact, but he has quickly become a regular red-zone target for Mahomes, scoring two touchdowns against the Bucs the following week and one in last week’s win over the Panthers.
All odds correct at time of writing
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