Sport: NFLPick Selection: Kansas City Chiefs +3 -115
Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs 1:00 PM ET
Kansas City Chiefs +3 -115
***Wiseguy Shocker of the Week*** The Chiefs had one of their worst ever games at Arrowhead Stadium last Sunday against Jacksonville The seven points they scored were the fewest in a home game since 2001 while the 10 yards rushing was the worst since 1965. While the signs don?t look good, playing the Bengals will certainly help turn that around. Cincinnati is 30th in the NFL in total defense, allowing 403 ypg while its 32.3 ppg allowed is dead last in the league. Despite the struggles, Kansas City has been outgained by only 84 totals yards on the year.
The Chiefs finished with 271 total yards against Jacksonville, a shade below their season average of 282.4 ypg which is 28th in the NFL. And the 10 rushing yards didn?t help matter as that knocked them to dead last in that category at 65.6 ypg. There is good news however. The Bengals are 29th in the NFL in average rushing yards allowed per game and last in yards per rush attempt at 5.3 yards. The Chiefs will run Larry Johnson early and often and are expected to remain committed to feeding him the ball 25-30 times.
The Bengals will also be at a disadvantage in the passing game on defense as they are undermanned because of the one-game NFL suspension this week of starting cornerback Johnathan Joseph. Add to the list three linebackers and a defensive end that are on the injury list this week. Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard, whose status for Sunday?s home game against Cincinnati has been in question because of a bruised right shoulder, will start. He hasn?t done much but he is better than having rookie Brodie Croyle start.
On the other side the Chiefs defense has been playing very well and has kept them around until the offense finds its rhythm. It is 10th overall in allowing 300 ypg and 9th in scoring defense, giving up just 16.6 ppg. The Bengals do have a potent offense but Rudi Johnson remains questionable. The Chiefs will try to pressure Carson Palmer as they have 15 sacks, which is 6th in the league and they are 9th best with 6.4 ypa in the league. End Jared Allen has 3.5 sacks while linebacker Derrick Johnson three.
Neither team has been getting much going on the ground as Cincinnati isn?t far behind the Chiefs at 83.3 ypg. In a case like this, it is best to grab the underdog, especially at home. Play against favorites in a game involving teams that are both getting outrushed by opponents by 40 or more ypg after being outrushed by 100 or more yards last game. This situation is 16-2 ATS (88.9 percent) over the last 10 seasons. The Chiefs couldn?t get it done last Sunday at home but that changes here. Play Kansas City Chiefs 2.5 Units
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