- Despite the highest total set by NFL sportsbooks, betting on points between the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders is a strong bet.
- The best ways to bet on points in the AFC West matchup is by taking the first half over, over the Chief’s 30.5-point total, and betting on Kansas City to score the game’s first points via touchdown.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs host the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football this week, with online sportsbooks giving this game the highest total of the entire Week Five slate.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Las Vegas Raiders Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Raiders | +7.0 (-105) | +270 | O51.0 (-110) |
| Kansas City Chiefs | -7.0 (-115) | -340 | U51.0 (-110) |
Betting the First Half Over
Betting the over on Bovada’s 25.5-point first-half total immediately sticks out when going through the eight previous matchups between Patrick Mahomes and Derek Carr:
- The average first-half total in games between the two Pro Bowl quarterbacks is 31.25 points.
- That first-half average total jumps to 35.25 points over their last four meetings.
- Five of eight matchups and three of their past four have gone over 25.5 first-half points.
Betting on the Kansas City Chiefs Team Total
Those first-half shootouts have largely contributed to arguably the best bet of the entire game at NFL sportsbooks, the over for the Kansas City Chiefs team total.
Kansas City Chiefs Team Total
- Over 30.5 +100
- Under 30.5 -130
Comparing this season’s Chiefs team to past seasons may not be entirely fair given the loss of Tyreek Hill this offseason, but this Chiefs total seems low regardless of how it is broken down:
- Kansas City has scored more than 30.5 points in two of their four games this season. Both games that went over 30.5 also went over 40.
- In Patrick Mahomes’ career against the Raiders, the fewest points his team has ever scored was 28 points. They have scored over 30.5 in the seven other games he has played against the Raiders. The Chiefs have scored 40 points or more in half of Mahomes’ eight career games against the franchise.
- The 2022 Raiders defense has given up the 22nd most passing yards in the league and 19th most touchdown passes. That mediocrity will not cut it against the Chiefs considering their team ranks first in touchdown passes and seventh in yards.
Betting on the First Score of the Game
Online sportsbooks have also provided odds on how the first points of the game will be put on the board.
Continuing the Chief’s trend, taking the Kansas City touchdown as the first score for +140 odds is another strong option based on history.
First Score of the Game – Exact Outcome
- Raiders Touchdown +250
- Chiefs Touchdown +140
- Raiders Field Goal +400
- Chiefs Field Goal +360
- Raiders Any Other Score +5000
- Chiefs Any Other Score +5000
In those past eight games between Carr and Mahomes, the first score of the game by category has been:
- Chiefs Touchdown: 5
- Raiders Field Goal: 2
- Raiders Touchdown: 1
Getting +140 odds on a bet that has historically had a 62.5% hit rate is an excellent value that may payoff early on Monday night.