The Chiefs are heavily favored over the Titans at home in Week 9. Here are Fanduel Sportsbook’s odds and a prediction for the final score.
The 5-2 Kansas City Chiefs are slated to host the 5-2 Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 9. The Titans and Chiefs are currently tied for the second-best record in the AFC, and the outcome of Sunday’s game may very well play a role in playoff seeding down the stretch. It will be a clash of differing offensive prowess; Patrick Mahomes is ranked fourth in passing yards, first in passing touchdowns, and second in QBR while Derrick Henry of the Titans ranks first in rushing attempts, third in rushing yards, third in rushing touchdowns.
Chiefs vs Titans Week 9 odds
Although the Tennessee defense has held its own alongside their imposing rushing attack through the first seven weeks of the season, oddsmakers favor Kansas City in this game. Fanduel Sportsbook has the Chiefs listed as -12.5 point favorites and has set the points total at 46.5.
This is the second time this year that the Titans have been labeled as double-digit underdogs, and they are 0-1 against those marks so far. The Buffalo Bills had their way with the Titans in Week 2, as the final score of that game was 41-7. There is something to be said for good teams that dominate in games that they should, and the Bills appear to be one of those teams. The Chiefs face the same test here, and should they prevail, a significant separation would form between the current top-three teams in the AFC. With the Bills and Chiefs at the top, and the Titans scrambling to maintain relevance.
A notable factor in Vegas’ decision on this spread is that rookie quarterback Malik Willis may or may not have just taken over the starting duties in Tennessee. Week 8 marked his first professional start, and he went 6/10 passing for 55 yards and an interception. The Titans still won the game, on the back of Derrick Henry. He had 32 carries for 219 yards and two touchdowns (it was his sixth 200+ yard rushing game).
It is likely that we will see more of the same approach from the Titans on Sunday afternoon, but the Chiefs pose a far more daunting threat against Henry’s success than the Houston Texans did last week. Kansas City’s defense ranks third in the league for rushing yards allowed per game (92), seventh in rushing yards per attempt (4.2), and second in opponent rushing touchdowns per game (0.4).
Chiefs vs Titans Week 9 prediction
The Chiefs’ track record against the spread is far from good, and with Frank Clark beginning his suspension this week there will be a little bit more room up front for Derrick Henry to run. I like the Chiefs in a convincing victory, but the Titans should cover +12.5 in a slower-paced game that features a tough outing from Henry.
Chiefs 27, Titans 17
Note: Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.