The Oakland Raiders (+2000 to win the AFC West) are moving further away from the Antonio Brown drama they had to deal with just before the season, and nothing would say that they are completely over it than if they could take down the reigning AFC West champs Kansas City Chiefs. That’s going to be easier said than done, though, especially with Patrick Mahomes under center for the Chiefs (+500 to win Super Bowl 54).
The Chiefs got the job done in Week 1, defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars with ease, 40-26, on the road. But it’s going to be a more challenging task for them to win games going forward without wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who sustained a collarbone injury that will keep him out for multiple weeks. The good thing for the Chiefs is that quarterback Patrick Mahomes will not be sitting out Week 2 despite hurting his ankle in the Jags game. Plus, wideout Sammy Watkins seems ready to take over as the No. 1 Chiefs weapon downfield while Hill is recuperating from his injury. Watkins showed why he was a former first-round pick, as he went off for 198 receiving yards and three touchdowns on nine receptions. It’s not going to be that kind of week for Watkins, but he’s a terrific weapon for this Chiefs offense that also has Travis Kelce. The tight end had 88 receiving yards on three catches in Week 1. Watkins will be looking to torch Oakland’sdefense that didn’t have the answer to Courtland Sutton in Week 1.
The over is 5-0 in the Chiefs’ last five road games.
Betting on the Oakland Raiders (1-0)
In Week 1, the Raiders proved at least one thing: that they don’t need Antonio Brown to win. Perhaps inspired by what the team had gone through over the entire Brown saga, the Raiders got together and played with a purpose in their 24-16 home win over the Denver Broncos. Quarterback Derek Carr was near flawless with his 22 of 26 passing night for 259 yards and a touchdown with zero interceptions. The Raiders also seemed to have finally an answer in the backfield in the form of rookie running back Josh Jacobs, who garnered 85 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Meanwhile, wide receiver Tyrell Williams made his best Antonio Brown impersonation and finished with 105 receiving yards. After Minshew made a good account of himself against the Jags’ defense in his debut, Carr should feel even more confident in his ability to bore through a seemingly lackluster Kansas City stop unit.
The under is 4-1 in the Raiders’ last five games overall.
