Chiefs Fly to Denver as Underdogs at the NFL Betting Lines for Week 17

Chiefs Fly to Denver as Underdogs at the NFL Betting Lines for Week 17

Written by on December 29, 2017

The Kansas City Chiefs don’t have much to play for in their regular-season finale as they’ve already secured a spot in the playoffs. They’re also going to rest veteran signal-caller Alex Smith and play rookie signal-caller Patrick Mahomes just to be on the safe side, which is why they come in as the NFL Betting Lines underdog. With nothing left to play for, NFL bettors need to know if backing the Chiefs to take down the listless Broncos is the right call in Week 17. Let’s find out right now.

Kansas City Chiefs (9-6) at Denver Broncos (5-10) NFL Betting Lines & Preview

  • When: Sunday, December 31, 2017, 4:25 PM ET
  • Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
  • TV: CBS
  • Radio: 95.5 FM (Kansas City) / 107.9 FM (Denver)
  • Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
  • NFL Betting Lines: Denver Broncos -3.5 (Over/Under at 38.5)

Weather Forecast

  • Partly Cloudy: -3°C/26°F
  • Humidity: 67%
  • Precipitation: 2%
  • Cloud Cover: 33%
  • Wind: 8 mph NE
  • Stadium Type: Open

How to Bet Dallas at Philadelphia NFL Week 17 Odds & Pick

Series History

  • Total Meetings: 114
  • First Meeting: October 30, 1960 / Dallas Texans 17 – Denver Broncos 14
  • Last Meeting: October 30, 2017 / Kansas City Chiefs 29 – Broncos 19
  • All-Time Series: Kansas City Chiefs lead 60–55
  • Largest Margin of Victory: Kansas City Chiefs by 52 points
  • Longest Win Streak: Kansas City Chiefs winning 11
  • Current Win Streak: Kansas City Chiefs winning 4

Why consider the NFL Betting Lines for the Chiefs?

Why bet on the Chiefs in Week 17? Because they’re the better team in all three phases of the game and hell, Denver quit on this season a long time ago! Kansas City has won three straight including their 29-13 dismantling of Miami last weekend and now the Chiefs are locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. Kansas City will get to see their prized rookie, Patrick Mahomes in his first NFL start after moving up in this year’s NFL Draft to take the strong-armed former Texas Tech star with the 10th overall pick. “We’re in a position where we can do that,” Reid said. “It gives the kid some experience. That’s the reason. Listen, the Broncos are a good football team, really good defense. It’ll be a great experience for him to go against that crew.” Mahomes will become the first rookie quarterback to start for the Chiefs in a non-strike game since 1979 when Steve Fuller did it. Mahomes is clearly excited about making his first career start although he’s expected to take over for Smith next season. “The biggest thing for me is just to expect to go out there and win in any way possible,” Mahomes said.

Team Statistics

Offense Average Score For: 25.87 Total Yards: 375.2 Rush Yards: 119.53 Passing Yards: 255.67 Defense Average Score Against: 21.00 Total Yards: 367.07 Rush Yards: 118.67 Passing Yards: 248.40

Why consider the NFL Betting Lines for the Broncos?

Why bet on the Broncos in their regular season finale? Well, because the Chiefs might not put too much effort into getting the win as they mostly want to escape this affair with their starters healthy. Denver has lost eight of their last 10 games and had their modest two-game winning streak snapped in their 27-11 Week 16 loss to Washington last weekend. The Broncos are going to go with Paxton Lynch at quarterback although the 2016 first round pick hasn’t played since suffering an ankle injury in his first start of the season back on Nov. 26 against Oakland. The Broncos coaching staff and front office brass will be eying Lynch’s play in this contest as they definitely need to find a long-term answer at quarterback starting next season. Paxton Lynch is starting for the NFL Betting Lines favorite Denver Broncos in Week 17. “I feel ready for Sunday, and I’m ready to go out there and play,” Lynch said. Broncos coach Vance Joseph said he likes what he has seen of Lynch. “He practiced well,” Joseph said. “Threw the ball well. He was in control of the offense, so that was good to see.”

Team Statistics

Offense Average Score For: 17.67 Total Yards: 323.47 Rush Yards: 116.47 Passing Yards: 207.00 Defense Average Score Against: 23.67 Total Yards: 284.07 Rush Yards: 88.00 Passing Yards: 196.07

Latest Betting Trends for NFL Week 17

  • Chiefs are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games on the road
  • Chiefs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on the road
  • The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Kansas City’s last 7 games
  • Broncos are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games
  • Broncos are 2-9 SU in their last 11 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver’s last 5 games

Expert Analysis and Prediction

The Chiefs don’t really have anything left to play for, but Denver has clearly checked out on this season, both mentally and physically. Yes, Denver is playing at home and they could get a boost from Paxton Lynch, but I really don’t see that happening. Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes will be going all-out to make a positive impression and I believe he’s going to do just that. The Broncos are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games following an ATS loss while the road team in this longtime AFC West rivalry has gone 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings. Kansas City wins outright to end Denver’s nightmare 2017 season! Pick: Kansas City Chiefs +3.5