by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Oct 13, 2021
Time: 1 p.m. ET, October 17, 2021
Venue: FedEx Field, Landover, MD
Where to watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Chiefs -7.5
BetMGM: Chiefs -7
Caesars: Chiefs -7
Season record
Chiefs: 2-3 (Last place, AFC West)
Washington: 2-3 (T-3rd, NFC East)
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Chiefs - Washington preview and analysis
Recent form
Chiefs: lost 38-20 vs. Bills in Week 5
Washington: lost 33-22 vs. Saints in Week 5
Kudos to you if you had both of these teams with the same record going into Week 6.
That would imply that you had the Kansas City Chiefs below .500, which if you did, can you slide over those lottery numbers?
I think it was fair to assume the Chiefs were going to be a strugglebus full of emotions when it came to the defensive side of the ball. There, Kansas City is not good at all. The Chiefs defense proved that once again by giving up 38 points to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football.
You'd like to think the Chiefs could figure things out against the Washington Football Team in Week 6, but who even knows anymore?
This isn't a dig at Allen or the Bills, who are most certainly the favorite in the AFC right now. But this is the same team that was rocked in the AFC Championship Game nine months ago, in that same stadium. Throw a lightning delay into the mix on Sunday for good measure, but that wasn't considered something that should've dictated how bad Kansas City was on Sunday.
Whatever bad run the defense is on has somehow moved to the other side of the ball, particularly Patrick Mahomes. He threw for 272 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in what was an uncharacteristic evening from the former MVP. To make matters worse, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is on injured reserve after sustaining a knee injury.
The star trio of Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman were all held to under 100 yards, and Kelce was the only one to have a touchdown. Maybe it's a good thing that extra game was added to the schedule for purposes of less panic.
"We know we have what it takes to be great. We have a lot of great players that have been really good other places," Mahomes said. "We know we have what it takes. It's a matter of coming together now and finding a way to do that."
But it's very weird to look at the season averages to see the Chiefs giving up more points (32.6) than they do scoring (30.8). It's a weird time to see a Mahomes-led team struggling, but things can change on a weekly basis. And if you're the Washington Football Team, you better be finding a reason why your defense hasn't stopped a nosebleed to start.
Supposed to be one of the top defenses in the league with ample amounts of young talent, Washington is giving up 31 points per game with only four takeaways to its credit.
Offensively, it hasn't translated with quarterback Taylor Heinicke. He had 248 yards on 20 of 41 passing last week against the New Orleans Saints, only to throw two interception. Somehow, allowing Jameis Winston to complete 50 percent of his passes while throwing four touchdowns makes him look like Drew Brees.
"I think we lack a little bit of confidence right now," Washington coach Ron Rivera said. "I'm very frustrated. We have too many good football players. Your record tells everybody what you are. We're a 2-3 football team."
Prediction
Much like their game against the Philadelphia Eagles a couple weeks ago, this is the perfect chance for both sides of the ball to settle down for the Chiefs. It won't ease the qualms, but Kansas City at least knows it's a far better team than the Washington club. An easy win for Kansas City on the road to get back to .500. Chiefs by 20
Betting trends
The Chiefs are 2-8 in their last 10 against the spread when they don’t cover two of their previous three games.
Kansas City is 15-4 ATS since 1992 after allowing 25 points or more in three straight games.
The under is 15-9 in Kansas City games following a game where the total was 50 or more.
Washington is 3-10 in its last 13 ATS after a home loss.
Players to watch
Chiefs: Darrel Williams becomes the lead running back with Edwards-Helaire on IR. He’s looking for his third consecutive games of 45 yards from scrimmage.
Washington: Running back Antonio Gibson is looking for his fourth consecutive game with a rushing touchdown. He had 60 yards and two scores last week.
Statistical leaders
Chiefs:
Passing: Patrick Mahomes -- 1,490 yards, 16 TD, 6 INT
Rushing: Clyde Edwards-Helaire -- 304 yards
Receiving: Tyreek Hill -- 516 yards, 4 TD
Defense: Mike Danna -- 3 sacks
Washington:
Passing: Taylor Heinicke -- 1,208 yards, 8 TD, 5 INT
Rushing: Antonio Gibson -- 313 yards, 3 TD
Receiving: Terry McLaurin -- 400 yards, 3 TD
Defense: Jonathan Allen, Montez Sweat -- 3 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
