NFL 2020 Predictions: Kansas City Chiefs Start Strong with Home Win Over Texans
The Kansas City Chiefs begin their search for a second successive Super Bowl at home to the Houston Texans when the 2020 NFL season kicks off with a welcome dose of Thursday Night Football.
Andy Reid’s team pulled off a historic comeback to beat the San Francisco 49ers in Super bowl LIV back in February, and the Chiefs return this season as one of the front-runners to lift the crown again in 2021.
The new NFL campaign is set to kick off without interruptions despite the coronavirus pandemic, making it one of the few sports to avoid significant schedule changes due to COVID-19.
Kansas City are runaway -455 favorites with Sugarhouse to win the opening game of the season against Houston, who will have to pull off an early upset if they’re to triumph from their +340 odds.
Texans @ Chiefs Game Info
- Date: Thursday, September 10
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
- Venue: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas, Missouri
- TV Info: NBC
- Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
(New Jersey, Colorado, Virginia & Ohio)
Texans vs. Chiefs Preview
Despite their billing as the less fancied outfit, the Texans are being treated like any other threat by coach Reid, who looks to back to his competitive best already, per ESPN’s Adam Teicher:
The Chiefs raised the championship banner at the end of practice but Andy Reid wasn't in any mood to celebrate. "The Texans are coming to town,'' he said.
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) August 29, 2020
The Chiefs had a balanced record against the Texans last season, losing in Week 6 before returning the favor (and then some) with a 51-31 win in the Divisional Play-Offs. The defending Super Bowl champions will look to use that latter result as inspiration for a renewed attempt in Week 1, though the pressure is on their shoulders to deliver a positive start.
Kansas City were dangerous before beefing up their rush department in the off-season, but the addition of star rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire promises to make them an even more rounded offensive unit in 2020. The Texans ranked eighth worst in the NFL last season for total rushing yards conceded and sixth overall for rushing yards-per-carry given to the opposition.
While the Chiefs look short on the moneyline, William Hill USA sportsbook also offers a more tempting +128 for the favorites to win and there to be over 54 total points scored in the game.
Bettors feeling particularly upbeat about Kansas’ odds might even back the hosts to beat the -9.5 handicap (-110). The Chiefs’ odds of beating the spread while there are under 54 points scored yields an even more appealing price of +310.
Texans @ Chiefs Moneyline Odds & Prediction
- Houston Texans: +340
- Kansas City Chiefs: -455
- Prediction: Chiefs to win by 10
Odds via Sugarhouse. Bet on Houston Texans or Kansas City Chiefs with bonuses in NJ (bet365), Colorado (Betrivers CO), Illinois, Indiana, PA and other states with legal online sports betting operators.
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