JAN 05 - Kansas City Chiefs NFL Postseason Betting Analysis

Kansas City Chiefs NFL Postseason Betting Analysis

Written by on January 5, 2017

The Kansas City Chiefs have looked like the best team in the AFC at times this season. Unfortunately, at times, they’ve also looked like they could be beaten by one of the most mediocre teams in the league.

If you want to know what lies ahead for Kansas City as they get set for the upcoming 2016 NFL playoffs, then let’s get started with my postseason betting analysis.

Kansas City Chiefs NFL Postseason Betting Analysis

Super Bowl 51 Odds: +1200
AFC Championship Odds: +500



Why Bet on the Chiefs

The best reason to bet on the Kansas City Chiefs (12-4 SU, 9-7 ATS) is their star-studded defense. Linebackers Tamba Hali, Justin Houston and Dee Ford and safety Eric Berry are all Pro Bowl-caliber stars while superstar cornerback Marcus Peters may be the best player at his position in the league. The Chiefs finished the regular season ranked an impressive seventh in points allowed (19.4 ppg) and have the kind of elite talent

Another great reason to bet on Kansas City this postseason is the play of veteran quarterback Alex Smith. I know the veteran signal-caller doesn’t have the strongest arm around, but Smith is also the best quarterback in the league at not turning the ball over and giving his team the best chance to win because of his careful passing. I know the Chiefs finished the regular season ranked a modest 13th in scoring at 24.3 points per game, but Smith’s ability to play smart football is a strength even if it doesn’t always look that way.

The last – and possibly best – reasons to bet on the Chiefs this postseason is the rise of game-breaking returner/wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Kansas City’s Pro Bowl returner has won the special team’s player of the week three times this season and has almost single-handedly beaten at least two opponents this season and is getting a bigger role in the team’s offense because of his jaw-dropping speed and elusiveness.

This season, Hill has returned two punts for touchdowns and one free kick while rushing 24 times for 267 yards and three scores. Hill has also caught 61 passes for 593 yards and six scores. Make no mistake about it, Tyreek Hill is the kind of game-changing player that could help the Chiefs fly higher than anyone ever imagined this postseason.

Why Bet Against the Chiefs

The best reason to bet against Kansas City this postseason is the team’s often uninspiring offense, which, far too often, makes me think watching paint dry would be more entertaining. Kansas City finished the regular season ranked 20th in total offense (343.0 ypg), 19th in passing (233.8 ypg), 15th in rushing (109.2 ypg) and a modest 13th in scoring (24.3 ppg). The Chiefs rarely throw the ball vertically down the field and simply doesn’t get as many big plays as their opponents.

Kansas City also has some issues on the defensive side of the ball that could be detrimental to their postseason success. The Chiefs finished the regular season ranked an uninspiring 24th in total defense (368.5 ypg), 18th against the pass (247.4 ypg) and 26th against the run (121.1 ypg).

Make no mistake about it NFL betting enthusiasts, Kansas City has both, positives and some negatives as they get set for their upcoming playoff run.