NFL Thursday Night Football Features AFC West Showdown

Thursday Night Football kicks off Week 7 of the NFL regular season when the Kansas City Chiefs visit the Oakland Raiders in an AFC West showdown. The current line has Kansas City favored by 3 points with the over/under point total on 47.

Entering this game, Kansas City on the season is 5-1 straight up and against the spread. On the road, the Chiefs are 3-0 SU and ATS. Oakland on the season is 2-4 SU and ATS. At home, the Raiders are 1-2 SU and ATS.

Kansas City lost for the first time last weekend, when Pittsburgh exposed a defensive weakness and downed the Chiefs 19-13. Oakland after winning its first two games of the season has now lost four in a row losing last week to the Los Angeles Chargers 17-16.

The Chiefs opened the season 5-0 due to a rushing attack led by rookie running back Kareem Hunt and big play wide receiver Tyreek Hill. However, last week against the Steelers, Hill was injured and could have a concussion.

Defensively, the Chiefs were dominated by the Steelers offensive line as Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell carried the ball 32 times for 179 yards.

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith threw for 223 yards, but the running game for Chiefs was almost non-existent with just 28 yards on the ground, and Hunt held to just 21 yards.

Oakland has averaged just 13.2 points a game during its current losing streak of four straight. Derek Carr returned to quarterback the Raiders after missing the Raiders loss to Baltimore with an injured back, but it was obvious Carr is still not 100%. Carr threw for just 171 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.

The Raiders running attack has not been very good through six games, with offseason acquisition Marshawn Lynch not living up to lofty expectations after returning from one year of retirement.

The Raiders defense let them down as well, as the Chargers drove down the field on the final drive to kick a field goal as time ran out giving them the 1-point victory.

Offensively, the Raiders are No. 30 in the league in total yards per game and No. 26 in passing yards.

Kansas City is 6-0 ATS in its last 6 games versus opponents from the AFC West.

Oakland is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games against opponents from the AFC West.

Prediction: The Raiders are not clicking on all cylinders, while the Chiefs suffered their first lost last week, but should bounce back against their AFC West rivals. Lean here toward KC.