NFL betting handicappers are quite surprised at the respective starts of both the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs who will meet on Sunday at Arrowhead. Kickoff is set for 1:05 PM Eastern and the game will be broadcast on FOX. SBG global opened with San Francisco as a 1-point road favorite with an over/under of 36.5.
Chiefs on the Warpath!
The Kansas City Chiefs are 2-0 straight up for the first time since 2005 and have covered both of their games with the NFL odds. Last week the Chiefs beat the Browns in Cleveland 16-14 as 3-point dogs as the game stayed under the total. Kansas City is winning on the combination of a rushing attack that is ranked 5th in the NFL and a defense that is ranked 8th best for points permitted. Jamaal Charles leads Kansas City ball carriers with 6.4 yards per carry average and 1 touchdown. Kicker Ryan Succop made all 3 of his field goal attempts last week to provide the margin of victory while linebacker Derrick Johnson already has 18 tackles and a forced fumble. The one concern remains at quarterback as Matt Cassel has a poor QB rating of 55.
Niners Stumble Out of Gate
The San Francisco 49ers were a NFL betting favorite to make the playoffs and win the NFC West Division but they are 0-2 straight up and 1-1 against the spread after last Monday’s 25-22 loss to the New Orleans Saints as 4.5-point home dogs. The 49ers are yet to go over the total. Head coach Mike Singletary is trying to keep his team focused on the road ahead and is maintaining a positive attitude.
Outplayed the Champs
The 49ers played the world champion Saints even but blew the game due to four turnovers. Quarterback Alex Smith led a drive that put the 49ers up late in the game but a deflected field goal snuck through at the gun to win the game for New Orleans. San Francisco outgained New Orleans 417-287.
Trends
San Francisco has lost just 2 out of their last 13 games with the NFL odds against teams with winning records while Kansas City has covered just 6 out of their last 22 home games while going under the total in just 6 out of their last 23 games at Arrowhead.