BUFFALO vs KANSAS CITY
When: 1/24/2021 6:40 PM
Where:

TV: 6:40 PM
LINE: -3
PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY , BUFFALO

Oddsmakers currently have the KANSAS CITY listed as -3 point favorites versus the BUFFALO, while the game’s total is sitting at 54.

The good news for the Kansas City Chiefs is that Patrick Mahomes is planning to play.

Mahomes said Friday that he is out of concussion protocol and is ready to start Sunday’s AFC Championship Game that pits the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs against the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

“Talking to all of the doctors and going through all of the testings, we have the belief that I’ll have no lingering effects and I’ll be able to go out there and be who I am,” said Mahomes, who practiced for the third consecutive day on Friday.

Mahomes, 25, also said the toe injury that was bothering him against the Cleveland Browns in the divisional round was “feeling a lot better.”

Last year’s Super Bowl MVP suffered the concussion in the third quarter of Kansas City’s divisional-round game against Cleveland and did not return. Backup Chad Henne and the Chiefs defense held on for a 22-17 victory, in part because Henne scrambled for a big gain and then converted a game-clinching first down with a surprising completion to Tyreek Hill.

“For my preparation, it’s going to stay the same: Prepare like you’re the starter each and every week, no matter what happens,” Henne said earlier in the week. “Whatever does happen, happens. I always stay ready.”

Pretty sound outlook, though when Henne was named the quarterback for the Chiefs’ last regular-season game after they had already clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the start was his first since 2014. The Los Angeles Chargers halted Kansas City’s 10-game win streak, but the Chiefs raced to an early lead against the Browns despite coming off a first-round bye.

It is worth noting that Mahomes sprinted off the field for testing after first wobbling to the sideline against the Browns. Kansas City coach Andy Reid said later that Mahomes sustained an injury to his neck area in addition to the toe injury.

While everyone was awaiting word on Mahomes’ status, the word on the Bills’ Josh Allen is he is playing at a level equal to any quarterback still competing in the postseason.

Considering that list of greats includes Mahomes, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers, Allen is in select company. He doesn’t get distracted by comparisons, though.

“I’m just trying to be the best version of myself,” Allen said. “I’m not trying to compare to the other guys who are arguably some of the best to ever play the game, the ones who are left. I’m just focused on what I can do.”

Ever since a 26-17 loss to the Chiefs in Week 6, the Bills have rolled to 11 wins in 12 games, including eight straight, to gain their first AFC Championship appearance since the 1993 season.

Allen’s steady improvement with the Bills rode a huge uptick this season when he recorded eight 300-yard passing performances.

“He’s poised. I’ve never seen him overly excited,” said Stefon Diggs, whose All-Pro season included NFL highs of 1,535 yards and 127 catches. “For him putting his head down and gaining actual (rushing) yards, things like that go far with us.”

If the matchup comes down to key defensive stops, consider that Buffalo has allowed touchdowns on just two of eight red-zone situations in the playoffs. Taron Johnson converted one into a 101-yard pick-six in the divisional round win against Baltimore.

As for Kansas City, it ranked last in the NFL in red-zone defense, allowing a touchdown rate of 76.6 percent. Yet the Chiefs have held nine opponents to 20 or fewer points.

Two Chiefs playmakers, wideout Sammy Watkins (calf) and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle), appear to be back after missing the divisional round. Both players are listed as questionable as are running back Le’Veon Bell (knee), and cornerbacks Bashaud Breeland (concussion/shoulder) and Rashad Fenton (foot).

Linebacker Willie Gay (ankle) will miss the game.

Defensive tackle Vernon Butler (quad) and rookie receiver Gabriel Davis (ankle) are questionable for Buffalo.

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CLEVELAND vs KANSAS CITY
When: 1/17/2021 3:05 PM
Where:

TV: 3:05 PM
LINE: -10
PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY , CLEVELAND

Oddsmakers currently have the KANSAS CITY listed as -10 point favorites versus the CLEVELAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 57.

Time off for Patrick Mahomes has not equated to time away from football.

He practiced for the Kansas City Chiefs. He cheered teammates on while sitting out the last regular-season game. And then last week, with the bye that goes to the top seed in the AFC playoffs, Mahomes scouted opponents.

He will rely on what he learned about the Cleveland Browns, who will be coming off an explosive 48-37 upset of Pittsburgh in the wild-card round, which elevated them into the divisional round Sunday at Kansas City, Mo.

“I had a day’s worth of film on the Browns,” said Mahomes, “so whenever we found that out, I was able to look back at that and look at my notes and see how it presents to us.”

Despite sitting out the Jan. 3 setback to the Los Angeles Chargers, Mahomes helped engineer a 14-2 season for Kansas City while passing for 4,740 yards and 38 touchdowns. He will square off against Baker Mayfield as they reprise their old Big 12 shootouts.

“To be able to play against him on this stage is going to be special,” Mahomes said. “I mean, he went to Oklahoma, I went to Texas Tech, so he got the better of me in college, so I’ll try to do my best to win in the NFL.”

Mahomes knows he has the weapons to accomplish that feat, especially after the Chiefs scored at least 31 points in each of their postseason wins a year ago. Travis Kelce, who set an NFL record for tight ends with 1,416 receiving yards, also sat out the defeat against the Chargers, which snapped a 10-game Chiefs’ winning streak.

“Everybody kind of locks in a little bit more and gets excited to play when the playoffs come around, especially in this building, especially (Mahomes) himself,” Kelce said.

The same could be said of the Browns after claiming their first playoff win since 1994.

Cleveland should regain several players off the reserve/COVID-19 list — Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio was removed Friday — while coach Kevin Stefanski returned to practice on Thursday after his own stint with the virus.

“We’re looking forward to getting a full complement of guys,” Stefanski said. “Anytime you get good players back, whether it be injury or COVID list, it’s always a big boost for your entire team.”

Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson have been activated and will provide depth to a secondary that grabbed four interceptions against Pittsburgh. Receiver KhaDarel Hodge was also taken off coronavirus protocols.

Mayfield will again look to execute a balanced attack, which also features the rushing tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

Hunt will have some additional motivation playing against the Chiefs. They cut Hunt during the 2018 season after video surfaced of him kicking a woman. Kansas City selected Hunt in the third round of the 2017 draft. He then led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards as a rookie.

Another Browns connection who can point to his time with the Chiefs is general manager John Dorsey, who was around when Andy Reid took over as Kansas City coach and traded up to take Mahomes in the 2017 draft after already drafting the likes of Kelce and Tyreek Hill.

Dorsey was eventually fired by the Browns in late 2019.

“He did a nice job here and there of bringing the right people in,” Reid said.

The Chiefs ruled out receiver Sammy Watkins (calf) and linebacker Willie Gay (ankle) on Friday. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) was listed as questionable.

The Browns listed four players as questionable: offensive tackle Jack Conklin (hamstring/knee), linebacker B.J. Goodson (shoulder), and tight ends David Njoku (hamstring) and Stephen Carlson (groin).

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Jones was listed as questionable after being limited in practice Friday. He is recovering from hamstring and ankle injuries that have sidelined him for two of the last three games but have made enough progress that could be behind center Sunday at Baltimore.

If Jones is not available, Colt McCoy would start for New York (5-9), which needs to keep winning in the NFC East, where it trails Washington by one game and is tied with Dallas.

Whoever is at quarterback, he will not have receiver Golden Tate to target. Tate was declared out with a calf issue.

Also questionable are the Giants’ leading tackler, linebacker Blake Martinez (ankle), and rookie defensive back Darnay Holmes (knee). Both were limited on Friday.

Fully practicing were tight end Evan Engram (calf) and tackle Matt Peart (ankle).

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ATLANTA vs KANSAS CITY
When: 12/27/2020 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -10.5
PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY , ATLANTA

Oddsmakers currently have the KANSAS CITY listed as -10.5 point favorites versus the ATLANTA, while the game’s total is sitting at 54.

Home-field advantage in the playoffs is a select prize this season after the NFL amended its playoff structure so seven teams from each conference qualify and only the top seed draws a first-round bye.

The Kansas City Chiefs (13-1) are in prime position to earn the weekend off in the AFC. Nonetheless, the reigning Super Bowl champions are reluctant to acknowledge their superiority entering a home game Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons (4-10).

“Never bank on others; get your guys ready to go,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who insisted he would not study playoff scenarios to shape alternative lineup plans.

“If you go there,” he added, “then you get your tail kicked. I don’t allow myself to go in that direction. We’ve got to maximize ourselves against a team that’s playing hard. These games that they’ve lost, over half of them have gone into the fourth quarter.”

By beating or tying the Falcons, the Chiefs can clinch the top seed in the AFC playoffs and with it, a first-round bye and home-field advantage. Other scenarios could assure the Chiefs of the top spot, but they seem focused on variables they can control.

“If you keep winning games,” said quarterback Patrick Mahomes, “those things have a way of working out on their own.”

Kansas City’s dominance during a season marred by unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic includes a nine-game winning streak and the announcement this week of seven Pro Bowl selections.

A 14th regular-season win would establish a franchise record.

Travis Kelce needs 60 yards receiving to break the NFL record for tight ends held by San Francisco’s George Kittle (1,377). Kelce also needs two receptions to become the first NFL tight end with 100 catches in back-to-back seasons.

The fact that each of Kansas City’s last six opponents have kept the outcome to a one-score margin could encourage Atlanta, which has seven losses by one score.

Discouraging, however, is that the Falcons are No. 31 in the NFL in passing yards allowed, especially going against a Chiefs team ranked first in average passing yards.

Mahomes has thrown for 36 touchdowns against five interceptions. He leads the NFL with 4,462 passing yards. The Falcons’ Matt Ryan is third (4,016).

Much of the attention thrust on the Falcons regards openings for a head coach and general manager. The team confirmed Wednesday that Raheem Morris will receive an interview. The interim coach said he looks at the totality of his job in that prism.

“Everything you do in these moments are interview-type moments,” Morris said.

Morris will use the last two games to look at running back Ito Smith, who moved ahead of Todd Gurley in the rotation.

Receiver Julio Jones continues to be slowed by a hamstring injury that kept him out the last two games. Other Atlanta starters who missed practice Wednesday were cornerback Darqueze Dennard (quad), center Alex Mack (concussion) and guard James Carpenter (groin).

Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle, hip) will miss the game for the Chiefs, though his injury is not as severe as initially thought. Tyreek Hill (hamstring) was withheld from Wednesday’s practice as a precaution. Linebacker Anthony Hitchens is in COVID-19 protocol but could play.

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LA CHARGERS vs KANSAS CITY
When: 1/3/2021 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -1.5
PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY , LA CHARGERS

Oddsmakers currently have the KANSAS CITY listed as -1.5 point favorites versus the LA CHARGERS, while the game’s total is sitting at 43.

Apparently subbing for Patrick Mahomes provides a potential shot of youthful exuberance.

With the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs already secured by Kansas City (14-1), the Chiefs will rest their MVP candidate Sunday when they play host to the Los Angeles Chargers (6-9).

Mahomes’ backup, Chad Henne, is no stranger to the NFL. That didn’t prevent Chiefs coach Andy Reid, however, from telling his backup quarterback to go be a kid again.

“I think he’s excited,” Reid said. “I told him, ‘Act like you’re 20, man, and try to remember those days and feel it.’ He’s all in.”

Henne, 35, will start for the first time since the first three games of the 2014 season with Jacksonville. He entered as a reserve in two blowouts this season, completing 5 of 6 passes while rushing for one touchdown after missing all of last season with a fractured ankle.

Not quite the numbers Mahomes has posted leading Kansas City to 10 straight wins as the NFL passing leader with 4,740 yards.

The Chiefs have already established a club-best win total and can set another franchise record with an 11th consecutive win in the same season.

Nonetheless, Reid embraced the opportunity to rest several regulars before the Chiefs observe a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the playoffs.

“It’s crazy to think it’s my first (start) since 2014,” Henne said. “I got all my games in when I was young and then I had like a five- or six-year span where I didn’t get much playing time. I’m excited and excited about the group we’re going to have out there.”

The lineup could lack some firepower the Chiefs typically deploy.

Tyreek Hill (hamstring), Le’Veon Bell (knee), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) and Sammy Watkins (calf) all missed practice Wednesday. Travis Kelce could be another weapon the Chiefs sit since he has already set the NFL season record for receiving yardage (1,416) by a tight end and the franchise record for catches (105).

The Chargers carry a three-game winning streak behind Justin Herbert, who engineered game-winning drives in each of the three wins. The No. 6 overall pick from Oregon owns an NFL rookie record with 28 touchdown passes.

Herbert’s first start came in Week 2 against the Chiefs after a pain-killing injection punctured the lung of Tyrod Taylor. The Chargers, who started 2-7, took the Chiefs into overtime before falling 23-20 as Herbert passed for 311 yards and one touchdown.

“I think I’m a better teammate, son, friend because of all those tough times we had this year,” Herbert said. “I know I learned a lot going forward, I know I’m going to be better prepared for 2021.”

One question is whether he will be joined by fourth-year coach Anthony Lynn, who said he has not been given any indication on his future with Los Angeles.

“I am not concerned about that; I am concerned about Kansas City,” Lynn said.

Defensive end Joey Bosa (concussion), wide receiver Keenan Allen (hamstring) and safety Rayshawn Jenkins (ankle) are questionable for the Chargers.

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KANSAS CITY vs OAKLAND
When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, September 15, 2019
Where: RingCentral Coliseum, Oakland, California

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS.
LINE: Kansas City -7.
O/U: 53.5
PREDICTION: Chiefs 34, Raiders 24

Oddsmakers currently have the OAKLAND listed as 7 point favorites versus the KANSAS CITY, while the game’s total is sitting at 53.5.

The Kansas City Chiefs saw their season flash before them when star quarterback Patrick Mahomes sprained his ankle in Week 1, but the reigning MVP says he will be ready to play Sunday. Mahomes and the Chiefs hit the road in Week 2 for an AFC West showdown with the Oakland Raiders.

The Chiefs’ high-powered offense will be without one of its top weapons, as star receiver Tyreek Hill is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a sternoclavicular joint injury (the spot where the clavicle meets the sternum), but Raiders coach Jon Gruden still is wary of Kansas City’s offense. “(Rookie Mecole Hardman) is gonna be fast and dynamic. Sammy Watkins is healthy. … (Travis) Kelce is still Kelce. They’ve added (LeSean) Shady McCoy. They’re a problem,” Gruden said in a teleconference. “I’m getting a headache talking about it.” The Raiders had their share of headaches on the eve of the season with the saga leading up to Antonio Brown’s release, but they capped a whirlwind Week 1 with a 24-16 home win over Denver on Monday night. The Chiefs have won three straight meetings, but they narrowly escaped with a 40-33 victory in their visit to Oakland last season.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Kansas City -7. O/U: 53.5

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (1-0): Even without Hill, Kansas City’s offense has plenty of prowess with Mahomes throwing to Watkins (nine catches, 198 yards, three touchdowns in Week 1) and Kelce. Damien Williams and recent acquisition McCoy split time in the backfield, and the latter is expected to take on a bigger role after averaging 8.1 yards on 10 carries last week. The secondary still is a concern for the Chiefs, who surrendered 347 passing yards in a 40-26 win at Jacksonville and were picked apart by rookie Gardner Minshew in the second half.

ABOUT THE RAIDERS (1-0): Oakland did an excellent job of protecting Derek Carr against Denver, as the team did not surrender a sack. Carr found a new favorite target in Tyrell Williams, who snagged six passes for 105 yards and a touchdown, and rookie Josh Jacobs rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns. The Raiders were able to wreak havoc in the backfield against the Broncos, collecting three sacks and five tackles for loss, but they’ll have a bigger challenge this week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Chiefs have scored 25 or more points in an NFL-record 22 consecutive games.

2. Mahomes has thrown at least two touchdown passes in 12 straight contests.

3. Jacobs was the first player since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2001 to record at least 100 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in his NFL debut.

PREDICTION: Chiefs 34, Raiders 24

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KANSAS CITY vs JACKSONVILLE
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 8, 2019
Where: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS.
LINE: Kansas City -3.5.
O/U: 51.5
PREDICTION: Chiefs 31, Jaguars 23

Oddsmakers currently have the JACKSONVILLE listed as 3.5 point favorites versus the KANSAS CITY, while the game’s total is sitting at 52.

Reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes says the Kansas City Chiefs spent the offseason finding ways to make their offense run even more smoothly, and that’s a scary proposition for opposing defenses. Mahomes and the Chiefs will try to pick up where they left off last season when they open the 2019 campaign at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

The Chiefs led the league in scoring (35.3 points per game) and total offense (425.6 yards) a year ago, and with most of their biggest weapons still in the arsenal, they’ve been able to add some new wrinkles to the playbook. “I’m definitely excited to be able to show all these plays we’ve been working on all through training camp and watch how they’re going to work in a game,” Mahomes told reporters. “That’s stuff we worked on all offseason – how we think we can exploit defenses and how we think we can go out there and have success based on stuff we did last year.” They’ll start with a strong challenge against a Jacksonville defense that ranked in the top five in the league in scoring defense (19.8 points per game) and total defense (311.4 yards). “It will be a great challenge for us,” Jaguars coach Doug Marrone told reporters. “They have a lot of talent on that side of the ball.”

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (2018: 12-4, TIED FOR FIRST IN AFC WEST): There’s plenty of hype for Kansas City’s offense with Mahomes back for his second full season as a starter after passing for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns a year ago. The Chiefs added running back LeSean McCoy to complement Damien Williams, who broke out last season after Kareem Hunt’s release, and Mahomes’ two favorite targets are back in dynamic receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce. The defense got a bit of a facelift with the addition of pass rusher Frank Clark and safety Tyrann Mathieu.

ABOUT THE JAGUARS (2018: 5-11, LAST IN AFC SOUTH): Jacksonville moved on from quarterback Blake Bortles and brought in Nick Foles to try to mitigate the turnovers that derailed them last season, when they coughed it up 29 times. They also added former Chiefs receiver Chris Conley, who along with Marqise Lee and Dede Westbrook could stabilize the passing game needed to complement running back Leonard Fournette. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, defensive ends Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue, and linebacker Myles Jack anchor a defense that again figures to be one of the league’s best.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Chiefs have scored 25 or more points in an NFL-record 21 consecutive regular-season games.

2. Foles is 11-3 over his past 14 starts and is 3-0 in season-opening starts.

3. The Chiefs have won four straight meetings, including a 30-14 home victory last October.

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BALTIMORE RAVENS vs KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 9, 2018
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -6.5
PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY , BALTIMORE

Oddsmakers currently have the KANSAS CITY listed as -6.5 point favorites versus the BALTIMORE, while the game’s total is sitting at 52.5.

The league’s highest-scoring offense and its stingiest defense square off Sunday, when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens in a matchup of AFC playoff contenders. The high-scoring Chiefs hope to maintain their one-game lead in the AFC West, while the hard-nosed Ravens are trying to hang on to the last wild-card spot.

The Chiefs average an NFL-best 37 points per game – a total the Ravens have reached only once this season. Baltimore’s defense has been especially dominant during the team’s three-game winning streak – it held Atlanta to 131 total yards in last week’s 26-16 victory – but it will face its toughest test yet against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. “In reality, holding this team to what we did last (week) is probably not going to happen,” Baltimore safety Eric Weddle told reporters. “But we can make things tough on them. We can create turnovers. We can hold them in the red zone.” Baltimore has held its last three opponents to 255 total yards or fewer, while Kansas City’s season low for total offense is 330 against Arizona.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Chiefs -6.5. O/U: 51.5

ABOUT THE RAVENS (7-5): While Joe Flacco (hip) returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday, rookie Lamar Jackson is expected to make his fourth straight start, which limits the Ravens in the passing game but gives them a dynamic rushing attack. Baltimore has rolled up more than 200 rushing yards in the three games Jackson has started, as fellow rookie Gus Edwards has gained 315 in the last three contests. The defense, which ranks second against the pass, has allowed over 300 such yards only once all season, while the Chiefs average 345.3.

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (10-2): Kansas City’s passing game has been nothing short of prolific, as Mahomes leads the NFL with 41 touchdown passes – including 11 to speedster Tyreek Hill and nine to tight end Travis Kelce. The ground game certainly took a hit with Kareem Hunt’s release, but Spencer Ware has averaged 4.8 yards per carry this season and is a reliable target out of the backfield. The biggest question for the Chiefs is whether or not the defense can stop playoff-caliber opponents, and the secondary is especially suspect as the team ranks last against the pass.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mahomes has passed for four or more touchdowns seven times this season – second-most in NFL history.

2. The Ravens are the first team with three straight games of 200 or more rushing yards since Jacksonville in 2010.

3. Kansas City DT Chris Jones has recorded a sack in eight straight contests.

PREDICTION: Chiefs 27, Ravens 24

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KANSAS CITY CHIEFS vs OAKLAND RAIDERS
When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, December 2, 2018
Where: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California

TV: 4:05 PM
LINE: 15
PREDICTION: OAKLAND , KANSAS CITY

Oddsmakers currently have the OAKLAND listed as 15 point favorites versus the KANSAS CITY, while the game’s total is sitting at 56.

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid is notoriously tough to beat following a bye week, and the Chiefs hope that trend holds true when they travel to face the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. The Chiefs have won six of the past seven meetings with their longtime AFC West rivals, but they lost at Oakland last season.

Kansas City is coming off a bye following a wild 54-51 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11, which snapped the Chiefs’ four-game winning streak. Reid’s teams are 16-3 in games following a bye, and the Chiefs are a heavy favorite against an Oakland team that has struggled in the first season of coach Jon Gruden’s comeback. After snapping a five-game skid with a 23-21 win at Arizona in Week 11, the Raiders’ offense sputtered in a 34-17 loss at Baltimore last week. It’s the first of two meetings in a five-week span, as the teams will face off again in the regular-season finale Dec. 30 in Kansas City.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Kansas City -14.5. O/U: 55.5.

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (9-2): Kansas City boasts one of the NFL’s most exciting offenses thanks to second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has passed for 3,628 yards, leads the NFL in touchdown passes (37) and ranks second with a 117.9 quarterback rating. Mahomes is surrounded with weapons, including versatile running back Kareem Hunt and speedster Tyreek Hill, who had a career-high 215 receiving yards and two touchdowns against the Rams. Kansas City’s defense ranks 30th in the league, and the secondary is suspect, but the Chiefs have forced 17 turnovers, including at least one in eight straight games.

ABOUT THE RAIDERS (2-9): Oakland’s offense has been abysmal of late, averaging only 279.1 total yards in the past seven games. The ground game that had started to come to life was limited to 67 rushing yards last week against the Ravens, and Derek Carr has not topped 300 yards passing since Week 4 against Cleveland — and hasn’t surpassed 250 yards since Week 5. The defense has been awful against the run, ranking last in the league and allowing 140 rushing yards or more eight times in 11 games and 200 or more three times.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mahomes has averaged 348.5 passing yards with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions in six road games this season.

2. Raiders DT Maurice Hurst, who has a team-high four sacks, is questionable with an ankle injury.

3. Chiefs DT Chris Jones has recorded a sack in seven straight games and has at least two sacks in the past two contests.

PREDICTION: Chiefs 34, Raiders 20

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KANSAS CITY CHIEFS vs CLEVELAND BROWNS
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, November 4, 2018
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: 9
PREDICTION: CLEVELAND , KANSAS CITY

Oddsmakers currently have the CLEVELAND listed as 9 point favorites versus the KANSAS CITY, while the game’s total is sitting at 51.5.

After a tumultuous week off the field, the Cleveland Browns face a major challenge between the lines Sunday, when they host the Kansas City Chiefs and their dynamic offense. It’s a matchup of two of the league’s most exciting young quarterbacks, as Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield go head-to-head in a throwback to their days as Big 12 Conference rivals.

Mayfield has been a bright spot for a Browns team that seemed to be making strides but was loaded with dysfunction that came to a head this week. Coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley were fired Monday, and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was elevated to interim head coach. The Browns’ defense faces a stiff test against Mahomes and a Chiefs offense that leads the NFL in scoring and ranks third in total offense. “They have done a good job of surrounding (Mahomes) with people that take a short play and turn it into a long play, or take a space play and turn it into a miss for the defense,” Williams told reporters. “Andy (Reid) has always done a very good job with formation things to create those open areas for an athlete to make you miss. We have to do a good job in space defensively on the plays that they will create.”

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Chiefs -8. O/U: 51

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (7-1): The Chiefs are loaded with a group of offensive talent that includes versatile running back Kareem Hunt, speedster Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce, who have combined for 22 touchdowns. They’re coming off their lowest offensive output of the season with 340 total yards last week, but it was enough to hold on for a 30-23 win over Denver that kept Kansas City in command in the AFC West. The defense ranks 31st and struggled against the pass early in the season but has improved in the last two weeks and has recorded 10 takeaways in the last five games.

ABOUT THE BROWNS (2-5-1): After playing well to start the season, Cleveland’s defense has surrendered more than 400 total yards in five straight games while the rushing defense has been especially bad in recent weeks. The unit’s only saving grace has been a league-best 22 turnovers, including 12 interceptions. The offense has shown promise with Mayfield and fellow rookie Nick Chubb providing a glimpse of what may come, but the Browns sputtered to a season-low 237 total yards in last week’s 33-18 loss at Pittsburgh.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mahomes is only the fourth quarterback in NFL history with four or more touchdown passes in three consecutive games.

2. The Browns have forced at least one turnover in all eight games and have at least two takeaways in seven contests.

3. Hunt has scored a touchdown in seven consecutive games.

PREDICTION: Chiefs 31, Browns 23

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