Betsided

Chiefs vs. Cardinals Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for NFL Week 1 (Beware Kansas City's Defensive Woes)

By Iain MacMillan

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark (55).
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark (55). / Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

The Kansas City Chiefs have made the AFC Championship in four-straight seasons, and will start their campaign for a fifth-straight appearance on Sunday when they head to Arizona to take on the Cardinals.

Patrick Mahomes lost his favorite weapon in the offseason in Tyreek Hill. Can he find a new receiver to target?

Meanwhile, Kyler Murray was signed to a new deal in the offseason. Now, he'll try to lead his team to their first playoff win since drafting him.

Let's breakdown the odds for this opening week interconference showdown.

Chiefs vs. Cardinals Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

  • Chiefs -3.5 (-115)
  • Cardinals +3.5 (-105)

Odds:

  • Chiefs -198
  • Cardinals +166

Total:

  • 53.5 (Over -105/Under -115)

Chiefs vs. Cardinals Betting Trends

  • Cardinals are 4-2 in their last six games vs. Chiefs.
  • Chiefs are 1-4 ATS in their last five games played in September.
  • Cardinals went 1-5 ATS to finish their 2021 season.
  • Cardinals are 0-5 ATS in their last five home games.

Chiefs vs. Cardinals Prediction and Pick

People forget how bad the Chiefs defense was in 2021.

The Chiefs defense ranked 28th in opponent yards per play, 30th in opponent yards per carry, 22nd in third down defense, 26th in opponent yards per pass attempt, 31st in sack percentage. What makes matters worse, is they did very little to improve that unit outside of signing a streaky Carlos Dunlap.

Patrick Mahomes is certainly one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but he can only play on one side of the ball.

Also, we know the deal with the Cardinals. If history proves true again, we should be betting on them early in the season. Kyler Murray has been an early season MVP candidate every year that he's been in the NFL, but then falters as the season goes on. He should have a field day against this Kansas City offense.

Do the Cardinals win outright? Maybe, maybe not, but I’ll certainly take the 3.5 points at home.

Picks: Cardinals +3.5

You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.

Home/NFL Picks