Kansas City at Oakland Odds & Expert Pick

Kansas City at Oakland Odds & Expert Pick

Written by on October 14, 2016

Could Sunday be the final time that long-time AFC West rivals the Chiefs and Raiders play in Oakland? It’s very possible as the Raiders could be headed to Las Vegas as soon as next season — or maybe even Los Angeles. Oakland (4-1) looks to stay atop the division against third-place Kansas City (2-2) but is surprisingly a home underdog in NFL lines.

Let’s Take a Quick Look at the Kansas City at Oakland Odds, Expert Pick & TV Info

When: Sunday, Oct. 16, 4 PM ET Where: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland TV: CBS RadioKansas City / Oakland Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Lines: Chiefs -1.5 (47)

Why Bet on Kansas City?

The Chiefs come off their bye week so are pretty healthy. And that means we should see a heavy dose of former Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles. The franchise’s all-time leading rusher was a full participant in practice this week for the first time since tearing his ACL early last season. In Week 4, the Chiefs ruled that Charles was healthy enough to make his season debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a backup capacity behind Spencer Ware and Knile Davis. Charles had just two rush attempts for 7 yards in the game. Through four games in 2016, Chiefs rushers have posted a 4.3 yards-per-attempt average. Charles actually holds the career NFL rushing average lead for any running back to ever play the game with 5.5. The Chiefs have won five of the last six matchups over the Raiders, including a sweep last year, but the Raiders come into Sunday’s game with plenty of momentum after reeling off three straight wins, all of which came down to the wire and were by a total of just 11 points. Since he arrived in Kansas City before the 2013 season, QB Alex Smith owns a 5-1 record against the Raiders, completing 61 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions in those games. The Chiefs are 9-0 in games in which Smith runs for a touchdown, including the game last year in Oakland, when Smith took it in from 3 yards late in the first quarter. Smith finished last year’s game in Oakland 16 of 22 for 162 yards with two touchdowns through the air, and he added five rushes for 23 yards and a touchdown on the ground as well. Chiefs coach Andy Reid has tallied a 15-2 record in his career coming out of the bye week.

Why Bet on Oakland?

The Raiders beat San Diego 34-31 last week. Derek Carr threw a go-ahead 21-yard touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree on a fourth-and- 2 gamble and the Raiders survived when the Chargers botched a potential tying kick late. Amari Cooper finished with six catches — on 12 targets — for a career-high 138 yards and the touchdown, and he also caught a pass for a 2-point conversion. Carr endured an uneven day to finish with 317 yards on 25-of- 40 passing with two touchdowns and an interception. Coming into the Week 5 matchup, the Raiders had been a dominant force in the red zone, coming away with 10 touchdowns in their 11 trips inside the 20-yard line. However, the Raiders were just 1-of- 3 in red zone situations. Despite the win, the Raiders allowed more than 400 yards for the fourth time in five games. The defense did four turnovers on the day, led by rookie S Karl Joseph’s first two takeaways of his career (one interception and one fumble recovery). The Raiders are off to a 4-1 start for the first time since 2002. It’s not clear if Oakland will have top running back Latavius Murray back. He missed the Chargers game with a toe injury on his right foot, but is out of his protective boot. The Raiders went with rookies DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard against the Chargers and they rushed for 23 and 31 yards on nine and eight carries, respectively. Tight end Clive Walford, who missed last week’s game with a sore right knee, was practicing with the Raiders this week. So, too, were safety Nate Allen and linebacker Malcolm Smith.

My Expert Pick

Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings. Chiefs are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 meetings in Oakland. Road team is 20-6 ATS in their last 26 meetings. Underdog is 13-5 ATS in their last 18 meetings. I can’t believe this line. Take Oakland in NFL betting.