The beauty of the AFC West is every divisional game can be rightfully classified as a rivalry. The Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs add to their six decades of hostility Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium (8:15 p.m. ET), with the Chiefs favored by 7.5 points at Barstool Sportsbook.
Andy Reid’s Chiefs teams have turned the rivalry lopsided, winning 15 of the last 18 meetings and going 12-6 against the spread (ATS). A Reid-coached Chiefs team has never been an underdog to the Raiders.
Barstool Sportsbook has plenty of ways to get action on this game beyond the straight points-spread bet. If you think the Raiders can win straight-up, for example, you can get +260 odds on them via the moneyline, meaning a $100 bet would return $260 in profit. To avoid giving points with the Chiefs, you’d need to lay odds of -335.
If you’re more intrigued by how many total points will be scored in the game, Barstool Sportsbook has set the over-under at 52 points, with both sides getting odds of -110. Chiefs fans also can get odds of -136 for star tight end Travis Kelce to score a touchdown. Raiders backers can get odds of -107 that Davante Adams will score, one of dozens of prop bets available.
These games always produce memorable moments, and getting in on the action is better with an exclusive special offer from US Bets and Barstool Sportsbook that gives new customers a second chance for an equivalent amount up to $1,000 if they lose their first bet.
Here’s how the bonus works
The welcome bonus is a $1,000 refund for any first-time bets that are not winning tickets. The $1,000 bet insurance comes in the form of bonus cash. After your first deposit, your first bet — up to $1,000 — will be refunded in the form of site credit if it loses. Note that on these “risk-free” bets, sportsbooks don’t credit you back the actual deposit.
To take advantage of this welcome offer, you need a minimum deposit of $10 as well as the Barstool Sportsbook promo code: USBETS1000.
Barstool offers flexibility in that bettors need not make their bonus bet using site credits in one increment. They can break it up into smaller bets if they prefer, even making 1,000 $1 wagers if they like.
To unlock the bonus cash if you lose your first bet, you do need to play through the full amount. So if you bet and lost $500, you’ll need to bet the full $500 before the bonus money turns into cash.
Any bonus cash will expire 30 days after it is issued, so make sure to use it before you lose it. Now, let’s get into breaking down Monday night’s game:
When the Raiders have the ball
In the Raiders’ 32-23 win over the Denver Broncos last week, they rushed for 212 yards — most for the franchise since 2016. Josh Jacobs had a career day with 144 yards and two touchdowns. The Raiders have been most successful when running the ball this season, and they are beginning to build something of an identity behind Jacobs.
The problem is the Chiefs have the best run defense in the NFL, with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit limiting opponents to 263 yards on 79 carries this season. Second-year linebacker Nick Bolton, with 38 tackles, has combined with a cornerback who supports the run well in L’Jarius Sneed and a stout defensive line buoyed by Chris Jones and Carlos Dunlap to make it difficult on teams that like to run. The Chiefs have allowed just six rushing touchdowns, sixth fewest in the league.
It’s also hard to run consistently when you’re facing an offense that can score as prolifically as Kansas City’s. Thus, the Raiders will try to keep from falling behind early, which might force them to abandon their bread-and-butter run game.
Unlike when these teams met last season, the Raiders have Adams, potentially changing the dynamic of this game since Kansas City’s defense ranks 21st against the pass. In fact, they are even worse against star receivers such as Adams, ranking 29th in Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) vs. a No. 1 wide receiver. Adams has fit in nicely with the Raiders, ranking second in the NFL in targets and tied for ninth in receptions (26) and 15th in receiving yards (290).
He might not need a true breakout performance to give the Raiders a chance on the road in this one. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will have the trio of Adams, Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow back together for the first time since Week 2, so this would appear to be a chance for the Raiders to establish a passing attack that can rival their run game.
When the Chiefs have the ball
If you’re wondering why this game might be different than the two blowout losses the Raiders endured to the Chiefs last year — by scores of 41-14 and 48-9 — there’s this crucial difference: The Raiders replaced defensive coordinator Gus Bradley with Patrick Graham. He has installed a new scheme that should pose more challenges to Patrick Mahomes and a Chiefs offense that tends to pick up yardage in small increments while looking for occasional deep shots.
Still, the Chiefs offense is a lot to contend with and has shown admirable balance, ranking 11th in rushing offense and 11th in passing offense while ranking second in scoring.
Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been pushed by backup Isiah Pacheco and has responded with some big games, including last week, when he ran for 92 yards and a touchdown while also catching a touchdown pass against the Buccaneers.
For the Raiders to keep Mahomes in check, they’re likely going to need some production from edge rusher Chandler Jones, who had two sacks the last time he faced Kansas City, in 2018, but has yet to record a sack in his first four games with the Raiders.
Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY
