Blitzalytics Gambling Guide
Kansas City Chiefs Houston Texans
12-4 2nd Seed AFC West Champ 10-6 4th Seed AFC South Champ
Offensive PPG (28.2) Offensive PPG (23.6)
Defensive PPG (19.3) Defensive PPG (24.1)
Offensive YPG - 379 (98 Rush, 281 Pass) Offensive YPG - 362 (126 Rush, 236 Pass)
Defensive YPG - 349 (128 Rush, 221 Pass) Defensive YPG - 388 (121 Rush, 267 Pass)
Schedule
@JAX 40-26 @OAK 28-10 @NO 28-30 JAX 13-12
BAL 33-28 @DET 34-30 @LAC 27-20 CAR 10-16
IND 13-19 HOU 24-31 ATL 53-32 @KC 31-24
@DEN 30-6 GB 24-31 @IND 23-30 OAK 27-24
MIN 26-23 @TEN 32-35 JAX 26-3 @BAL 7-41
LAC 24-17 OAK 40-9 IND 20-17 NE 28-22
@NE 23-16 DEN 23-3 DEN 24-38 @TEN 24-21
@CHI 26-3 LAC 31-21 @TB 23-20 TEN 14-35
BUF 22-19
Key Players
P. Mahomes 65.9% 4031 yds. 26TD-5INT D. Watson 67.3% 3852 yds. 26TD-12INT
D. Williams 111 Carries 498 Yards 5 TDs C. Hyde 245 Carries 1070 Yards 6 TDs
T. Kelce 97 Catches 1229 Yards 5 TDs D. Hopkins 104 Catches 1165 Yards 7 TDs
C. Jones 36 Tack. 9.5 TFL 9 Sacks W. Mercilus 48 Tack. 14TFL 7.5 Sacks
T. Mathieu 4 INTs T. Gipson 3 INTs
Injuries
Morris Claiborne (Shoulder) - Out Jaheel Addae (Knee) - Questionable
Travis Kelce (Knee) - Questionable Jordan Akins (Hamstring) - Questionable
Chris Jones (Calf) - Questionable Keion Crossen (Hamstring) - Questionable
Will Fuller (Groin) - Questionable
Johnathan Joseph (Hamstring) - Questionable
Kenny Stills (Knee) - Questionable
Darren Fells (Hip) - Questionable
Blitzalytics Analysis
Line Kansas City (-10) Over/Under 51 Against the Spread - Kansas City (10-6) Houston (9-8)
As Kansas City watched during their bye, Houston got some key play from Deshaun Watson and defeated the Buffalo Bills in overtime last week. This is the first time since the beginning of the season that Kansas City has no one on the injury report. With a week off, the offense should be fresh and ready to play. The Chiefs’ defense made huge strides throughout the year and closed the last six games allowing 11.5 PPG. Houston is a gritty bunch that also has some key components back. J.J. Watt stepped right in and contributed against Buffalo and should be quite the disruptor against Mahomes and company.
The Degenerate Menace Says: What do we need to look at here? If Will Fuller plays, I think that will greatly help the Texans offense. Will the bye week actually cool down the Chiefs, especially on defense? Bye weeks are always a tricky proposition. Can either team find a running game that will actually be beneficial? What do we make of the previous meeting earlier this year when Dr. Watson went into Arrowhead and defeated the Chiefs 31-24? At this point, I am a little weirded out by the fact that the Chiefs are getting 10 points. We have already seen big numbers lose outright at home (see: New Orleans Saints). I would also consider the coaching matchup a push as both seem to fold under the lights of the playoffs for the most part. I would be shocked if Houston didn’t cover this number and it certainly wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility if they won outright.
Predicted Score: Kansas City 27 - Houston 23
Written by Jeremy Dennis