NFL Week 1 Chiefs vs. Patriots Prediction 9/7/17
The Patriots are a sizable home favorite to open their season. Will they cover against the Chiefs tonight in Foxborough?
The Odds: Chiefs vs. Patriots, 8:30PM ET, Gillette Stadium
After opening as a 7-point favorite, New England jumped to -9 earlier this week. The line stayed at that number until Thursday, when the number dropped two full points. According to oddsmakers, the Patriots are now 8-point favorites.
As for the total, the number hit the board at 50 points. That line was bet down, however, a full two points to 48. That’s where it currently sits as of this number.
Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach insisted last weekend that there is no quarterback controversy in Kansas City. Rookie Patrick Mahomes had an impressive preseason, but Alex Smith remains the starter for the time being.
“There is no gray area,” insisted Veach. “Alex is so far advanced from the mental side of things in regard to his ability to read coverages, to shift us out of plays and really play the chess game. He’s so far ahead of where Pat is. I don’t think it’s even close right now.”
New England Patriots
Earlier this week New England owner Robert Kraft said he wouldn’t stand in the way if Bill Belichick decided to move on from Tom Brady in 2018. When asked if he would leave the decision up to his football people, Kraft responded with, “Yes.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m not willing to weigh in and give them my thoughts,” Kraft added. “But I think we have a pretty good record in the personnel area. We’ll wait and see what happens at the end of the year. A lot of things happen that no one can plan.”
Brady turned 40 years old last month but orchestrated a thrilling comeback against the Falcons in the Super Bowl and is expected to have another outstanding season.
Our Prediction
The home team is 4-1 against the spread in the last five meetings between these two teams. The Chiefs have also struggled at the betting window against the Patriots. They’re 3-7 against the number in their last 10 games versus the Pats overall and 1-4 ATS in their last five games in New England. I like the Pats to eventually pull away in the second half of this matchup.
NFL Week 1 Prediction: New England Patriots -8
