NFL Sportsbook – Top Two Running Teams Face Off – Oakland vs. Kansas City

With playoff positions already established in some cases, the NFL Sportsbook Betting will have a difficult time with the betting lines ahead of Week 17. Case in point – the Oakland Raiders versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Coach Todd Haley has stated that he will not rest his players – my guess is that he will start his Studs and then gradually take them out of the game as it wears on.

OAKLAND RAIDERS (7-8) vs. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (10-5)

Sunday, January 2, 1:00 PM ET

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Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Broadcast: CBS

NFL Sportsbook Betting Lines:

Oakland: +3 (-110)

Kansas City: -3 (-110)

Moneyline: Oakland +160: Kansas City -190

Total: 43 points

The Oakland Raiders have been a pleasant NFL Sportsbook surprise team this season and will be looking to close out their campaign at the improbable .500 mark. The Raiders are vastly improved on both sides of the ball and will be going into the 2011-2012 season with plenty of overdue optimism.

The Raiders, with a win, have a chance to be the first team in history to go undefeated in their division and still finish out of the playoffs. They are 5-0 versus AFC West foes. There is no secret as to what Oakland will try to accomplish in this game – ride their 2nd ranked running game (152.33 yards per game) to victory.

Darren McFadden is dinged at the moment but should play along with Michael Bush. The 23rd ranked passing game (203.00 yards per game) may also have success considering that the Chiefs may opt to rest a few of their defensive starters.

Oakland has had trouble stopping the run this season which poses a huge problem going into a game with the league’s top rushing offense. They are 28th versus the run and give up 134.87 yards per game on the ground. Oakland has been very good against the pass (3rd ranked – 196.07 yards per game) but it is the run defense that has been their downfall all season long.

The Kansas City Chief have disregarded NFL Sportsbook expectations and have done the unthinkable – qualified for the playoffs ahead of the San Diego Chargers. The Chiefs will either be the third of fourth seed.

By winning and finishing third, they avoid Baltimore in the wild card round and New England in the second game. A win will ensure a home date with the vulnerable Jets and a road date against Pittsburgh.

The Chiefs have run wild this season. The duo of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones have the Chiefs with the #1 ranked run game (167.47 yards per game). The passing offense is 28th but is better than their 192.13 yards per game average.

Matt Cassel started poorly this season and came on strong toward the end. But the Chiefs will do their damage on the ground in this game – make no mistake about it!

Kansas City’s defense has been hot and cold. They are 19th against the pass (225.60 yards per game) and 12th against the run (103.67 yards per game). They will be a handful for the Raiders assuming the starters play the whole game.

NFL Sportsbook Betting Outlook:

The Oakland Raiders are 2-4 SU and ATS in their last six games. They are 2-6 SU in their last eight games on the road, are 4-11 SU versus KC in their last 15 but are 4-2 SU against the Chiefs in their last six. The Raiders are 6-15 SU in their last 21 games at Arrowhead.

The Kansas City Chiefs are 5-1 SU in their last six games and are 7-0 SU at home this season. They are 11-4 SU in their last 15 games against Oakland and are 2-4 SU and ATS in their last six versus the Raiders. The Chiefs are 1-6 ATS in their last seven home games against Oakland.

The road team has won seven of the last eight games between the two clubs.

Both teams have been playing above their heads this season and both have a little motivation going into this game. For the Chiefs, it is the third seed and for Oakland it is an AFC West sweep. This should be a close game any way that you slice it.

My guess is that the Chiefs opt to rest a few of their key starters. At any rate, a three point game is likely in my eyes meaning that the Raiders should cover the Spread. I like the Chiefs to win the game but the Raiders to keep it extremely close.

NFL Sportsbook Betting Pick: Oakland Raiders +3