NFL Week 1 Chiefs vs. Patriots Pick: Will the under cash Thursday? 9/7/17
Will the under cash tonight when the Patriots host the Chiefs at 8:30PM ET?
The Matchup: Chiefs vs. Patriots, 8:30PM ET, Foxborough
According to oddsmakers, the Patriots are 8-point home favorites to beat the Chiefs tonight. As for the total, the number currently sits at 48 points. New England opened as a 7-point favorite before the line was bet up. The total, meanwhile, hit the board at 50 before being bet down.
Kansas City Chiefs
Tight end Travis Kelce was removed from the Week 1 injury report and will start tonight versus the Patriots. Kelce wasn’t in danger of missing the team’s opener, but it’s good to see him removed from the injury report anyway.
In other news, rookie Kareem Hunt will be the “regular featured back” against New England tonight. That report came from ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher. Receiver Tyreek Hill is expected to get some carries as well, while Charcandrick West will see some time in the backfield as well.
New England Patriots
Patriots were forced to place receiver Malcolm Mitchell on injured reserve due to a knee injury. Mitchell dealt with knee injuries in college and att the end of last season. It would appear as though those same knee problems could cost him several months of the season.
Meanwhile, The Boston Herald is expecting a big night from running backs Rex Burkhead and James White tonight. Mike Gillislee is also in the mix to see plenty of carries.
Our Prediction
The under is 9-4 in the Chiefs’ last 13 games dating back to last season. It is also 4-1 in the Patriots’ last five games played in Week 1. Given the changes the team made this offseason, the Pats are unlikely to fire on all cylinders right out the gates tonight. Both teams also have solid defenses, so I expect a relatively low-scoring game for the NFL’s season opener.
NFL Week 1 Prediction: Chiefs/Patriots under 48
