Chiefs vs Raiders Prediction: Expect another lively AFC West rivalry game

The Kansas City Chiefs have not really found top gear yet this season in the defence of their Super Bowl crown, but at 9-5 they are on course to win the AFC West again. 

Their divisional rivals the Las Vegas Raiders are still just alive in the playoff race, but nothing worse than winning all three of their remaining games will suffice and that means they need a huge upset against the Chiefs on Christmas Day.

The Chiefs won 31-17 when the teams faced each other for the first time this season a month ago and another entertaining clash is in store in their Week 16 meeting.

Team News

The Chiefs have injury concerns over running back Jerick McKinnon (groin), wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hip), linebacker Cam Jones (illness) and left tackle Donovan Smith (neck). Linebacker Nick Bolton (wrist/abdomen) is expected to be available.

The Raiders may have to play without tight end Michael Mayer (toe), but running back Josh Jacobs (quad) and centre Andre James (ankle) could return after missing the last game. Linebacker Robert Spillane (illness) should be available.

Match Odds

The Chiefs are 1/5 to record their 10th win of the season on Christmas Day, with the Raiders 19/5 to pick up only their second away victory of the year.

The total points line for the game is 40.5 points, with 10/11 available for both over and under 40.5, while the handicap is 10.5 points, with Kansas City -10.5 at 20/21 and Las Vegas +10.5 at 20/23.

Over 40.5 points @ 10/11

There were 48 points in the teams' Week 12 game and the offences should again come out on top this time around.

The total points line is relatively low, in part due to a miserable weather forecast, with rain expected throughout the game, but that makes it easier for overs backers to cash in.

It's understandable if anyone would want to steer clear of a total-points play on a Raiders game, as their last two outings have brought a 3-0 defeat and a 63-21 win, but they showed in last week's humiliation of the Chargers that their offence is not short of weapons, and they could be assisted by the return of running back Josh Jacobs this week.

Jacobs had 110 rushing yards in the first meeting, so it would be a major boost if he is cleared to play.

The Chiefs' defence has kept the team competitive for most of the season while their offence, once the most feared unit in the league, has failed to regularly reach the standards we have come to expect from them.

Kansas City may also be assisted by the return of their starting running back, Isiah Pacheco on course to play after missing the last two games against Buffalo and New England, although his replacement Clyde Edwards-Helaire made a superb touchdown catch against the Patriots last week.

Even so, he had only 39 and 37 rushing yards in the last two games, so the return of Pacheco, who scored two touchdowns in the teams' first game, should provide an extra spark for the Chiefs offence and increase the prospect of a higher game total.

Rashee Rice anytime touchdown scorer @ 7/5

The Chiefs have been plagued by dropped catches from their wide receivers this season but one bright spot in that unit has been rookie Rashee Rice, who is clearly quarterback Patrick Mahomes' second-favourite receiver this season after high-volume tight end Travis Kelce.

Rice is even outperforming Kelce in terms of touchdowns this season with seven compared to five, and has found the end zone in three of the Chiefs' last four games.

That includes the first game against the Raiders, when he had the best day of his career to date, catching eight of the 10 passes thrown in his direction for 107 yards including a 39-yard touchdown pass.

Defences facing the Chiefs know they have to be ultra-wary of Kelce in the red zone and Rice has been able to make them pay for their lack of attention on him.

He has a great chance to extend his current scoring streak to three games.

Check out the rest of our NFL Betting Tips here.

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