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NFL

SNF – Chiefs at Bears

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
7 minute read
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NFL Week 16 Sunday Night Football Betting Preview

Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears (NBC, 8:20 p.m. ET)

SNF Betting Results

It is a bit odd to have a non-conference game take this high profile of a spot on SNF in Week 16, but for someone like myself who predicted back in the summer that this year's Super Bowl would be Chiefs vs Bears, I am alright with seeing it play out under the bright lights.

Only the Chiefs are able to pursue that championship this year, but with the pressure off of Chicago now could they end up thriving in the spoiler role? It's been all Kansas City money so far this week on the side, pushing an opener of -4.5 up to -6, with the Bears season effectively over, but unless the Chiefs get some help from Buffalo on Saturday, or Miami in Week 17 – one or both have to beat New England outright in Foxboro, and KC would have to win out – they are likely locked into their spot as a home team during Wildcard weekend. So really, how much do the Chiefs have to play for right now?

But let's try and work our way through this SNF game together, and after last week's teaser play on Buffalo/Under got their with ease, let's see if we can get a flat play to the cashier's window this week.

Total Talk

This total opened up at 45 before early 'under' money pushed it down to 43.5. That number has since seen some resistance to get back up to 44.5 as of this writing, and it's the latter of those two moves that I've got to side with. I say that the 'over' is the look here because of the potential ways both the offense and defense for Chicago approach this game.

Offensively for Chicago, there is no more pressure on their shoulders to win with the season's goals now unattainable, and a free and loose offense is one that generally finds success. QB Mitchell Trubisky has been dragged through the mud by nearly everyone this year (fairly and unfairly at times), and not having all that pressure on his shoulders to perform has to be very freeing. He's a guy that still probably has to show something in terms of entering next season as the starter, and to find success against a playoff-bound defense like Kansas City's – who's allowed 17 or fewer points in four straight games – would go a long way in that cause for Trubisky.

Furthermore, that Chiefs defense has shown improvement this year, and their last four weeks have been decent with those points allowed numbers, but I still wouldn't suggest that they are a unit to be feared. They played Denver in the snow with a rookie QB, New England in wet and windy weather, an Oakland team who had no issues giving the ball away numerous times, and a Chargers team that did the same during that four-week run. And really, if the Chiefs rightfully believe/know (they'll know what chance they'll have at playing for a potential bye in the AFC before this one starts), how anxious will the defense be to go out there and risk injury and lay it all out on the line? I'd venture a guess that they might be quite vanilla in that case, and that's only going to help Trubisky and company put up points.

But getting back to Chicago, defensively, the Bears have to be a bit of a question mark to show up at their best, as they know they've got nothing to play for. Who on that defense wants to spend the early part of their off-season rehabbing an injury they suffered in a meaningless Week 16 game? Professional pride will take over at times if they do want to compete, but if they don't the Chiefs can probably pick their score. And if Chicago is going to end up looking like a team that's simply going through the motions knowing their season is done, it's going to show up more on the defensive side of things in all likelihood.

Even at their best, Chicago's defense is still likely to give up multiple scores to this Chiefs attack (assuming they are at their best as well), and that's why to me, the 'over' is something that does make a lot of sense here.

Side Spiel

I touched on the jump the Chiefs spread has taken since open, as much of that early money was likely trying to beat the majority on the Chiefs knowing that Chicago's season is done. As more recreational wagers hit the window this weekend, it's likely going to be more KC action at a significant clip of say 70/30, as the fact that Chicago's got nothing to play for permeates at the forefront of many minds.

And really, Chicago does have nothing to play for, so they could end up no-showing and those that got on KC early will feel plenty comfortable with their position. But this number has moved too high now, and assuming Chicago does treat this game with some respect and perhaps even want to go out on a high note, then they should cover this spread.

However, I've already outlined the notion that Chicago is probably more likely to go out and try to win this game, as it's still Sunday Night Football, and any win over a playoff-bound team is a good one. And while many will be quick to point out Chicago's got nothing to play for, the unpopular (or ignored) perspective is that Kansas City is in a similar boat.

While Bears players may not want to spend the early part of their off-season nursing an injury, the Chiefs definitely don't want to fall victim to the injury bug this week or next. That suggests to me that it's a “get in, get out” type of approach for the Chiefs and their winning aspirations this week, meaning laying six points on the road is just too steep of a price to pay. Wins by Baltimore and New England prior to this game almost assuredly lock KC in the 3 seed, so what use will they have in sending out Patrick Mahomes to play a full 60 minutes?

KC has proven they can win with backup Matt Moore, and a win by any margin this week still gives them some chance of grabbing that #2 seed in that scenario, should the Dolphins somehow beat New England next week. That's the reality for KC this week, and if the Bears do show up, they should be able to at worst hang tough until the end.

Final Thoughts

Similar to last week's teaser play, I do believe playing the side and total for this week's SNF game makes a lot of sense. But there is no need to teaser them this time around (you definitely can if you'd like), but it's got to be the Bears ATS and the 'over' for this game.

I've outlined the case for points to be put up here, and had this game been five or six weeks ago prior to this run by KC's defense in allowing very few points, I'd venture a guess that this total would be in the 47-48 range compared to where it is now. I do believe that the lack of pressure on Chicago – who showed signs of crumbling under pressure/criticism this season – is a huge plus for their offense this week, and that's a positive for both the 'over' and the Bears ATS selections.

Best Bet: Chicago +6

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