The Kansas City Chiefs (10-1) will welcome the Las Vegas Raiders (2-9) to Arrowhead on Friday afternoon for the NFL’s second-ever Black Friday game.
This contest will be the second time these AFC West rivals meet this year after Patrick Mahomes threw a pair of touchdown passes to lead Kansas City to a 27-20 victory in Las Vegas on Oct. 27.
To prepare for the latest installment of this heated rivalry, let’s look at the betting odds before digging into my Raiders vs Chiefs predictions and best bets for Black Friday.
Raiders vs Chiefs Odds
NFL odds are current as of Tuesday, Nov. 26, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Raiders (+500) vs Chiefs (-700)
- Spread: Raiders +12.5 (-112) vs Chiefs -12.5 (-108)
- Over/Under: Over 42.5 (-110) / Under 42.5 (-110)
Raiders vs Chiefs Prediction
Chiefs 27, Raiders 17
Although Aidan O’Connell is taking over at quarterback for the injured Gardner Minshew, I expect this game to play out similarly to the first matchup.
The Raiders will likely struggle to run the ball — Alexander Mattison led the way with 15 rushing yards on 14 carries in the first meeting — putting the pressure on O’Connell to make progress through the air. However, Kansas City’s secondary has been vulnerable in recent weeks and allowed 263 passing yards and a touchdown to Bryce Young and a below-average Carolina receiving corps on Sunday.
Las Vegas should score enough to keep this game relatively close, but its defense has taken a sizable step back from the level it performed at last season under then-interim head coach Antonio Pierce. The Raiders have allowed 27 or more points in six of their previous seven games (all losses) and were gashed through the air again on Sunday by Bo Nix (273 yards and two TDs).
Kansas City’s offense still doesn’t consistently create explosive plays, so I don’t see Mahomes and Co. running away with this game. However, they should have little trouble avenging last year’s Christmas Day defeat to the rival Raiders.
Sportsbook Play of the Day
Raiders vs Chiefs Best Bets
Raiders +12.5 (-112)
Of Kansas City’s 10 victories, only one — a 26-13 Week 5 victory over the Saints — would have covered this margin. And for all of their dominance, the Chiefs only have one other victory by double digits on their resume.
Andy Reid’s squad does what it needs to win and gets out of dodge. I see that being the case again on Friday, especially with a more important divisional contest against the Chargers on deck.
I’m taking the points with the Raiders as one of my best NFL bets today.
Over 42.5 Points (-110)
I’ve gone back and forth on the total but ultimately landed on the Over.
On the one hand, the second game between division rivals tends to go Under, and it’s hard to have confidence in O’Connell in his return from a broken finger. At the same time, these defenses have really struggled in recent weeks.
Back these offenses to trade scores, much like the Chiefs and Panthers did last week.
