The Kansas City Chiefs welcome the Atlanta Falcons to the Show Me State today for an NFL Week 1 scrap at Arrowhead Stadium (1:00pm ET start time, FOX). The latest Atlanta Falcons at Kansas City Chiefs Odds are giving 2.5 points to the hosting Chiefs. Mike Smith’s Falcons are drawing -135 moneyline odds to begin the 2012 season on a winning note. Today’s game total is set at 43.5 points.
Kansas City looked ill prepared heading into the 2011 season and it proved those observations correct after getting outscored 89-10 in its first two games. Making matters worse the Chiefs was that it lost three major contributors (Eric Berry, Tony Moeaki, Jamaal Charles) to season ending knee injuries in games one and two.
While Kansas City, which has a new head coach in Romeo Crennel, did not look as bad this preseason as last, the Chiefs were anything but dominant, and they also got hit with another rash of unfortunate injuries. Cornerback Brandon Flowers missed the team’s entire exhibition slate with a bruised heel and Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Johnson tweaked his ankle in the exhibition finale against the Packers.
Both Flowers and Johnson are listed as questionable for today’s game while KC’s leading pass rusher, linebacker Tamba Hali, is out after being slapped with a one game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
Those developments have caused a line that used to feature Atlanta as a one point road dog to move 3.5 points the other way.
The Falcons new pass happy offense is expected by most to have a banner day opposite Kansas City’s short handed, banged up defense. It would seem most people are dismissing the Chiefs chances on offense against Atlanta’s less than formidable defense, though.
Granted, KC was atrocious on offense last season, but with the return of Charles, Moeaki, and Matt Cassel (missed the last seven of 2011) and the additions of Peyton Hillis and Eric Winston, the unit should be vastly improved this year.
Free Pick: Take the Chiefs +2.5.
Atlanta Falcons at Kansas City Chiefs Odds:
Atlanta Falcons -2.5 (-110), Over 43.5 (-110), -135 (Moneyline)
Kansas City Chiefs +2.5 (-110), Under 43.5 (-110), +115 (Moneyline)
Hilton Contest online version. Free. Already 1300+ entered. 5 NFL picks. $1000 prize. Seconds to join! (Details Here)
NFL Free Picks: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets (Best Bet)
What NFL bettors need to know about Buffalo Bills at New York Jets - Including a free pick from Pregame.com's Vegas Runner - with Bryan Leonard and host RJ Bell.