Opening Odds for Potential Chiefs vs. Ravens AFC Championship Already Disrespect KC
By Joe Summers
After beating the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl last year, Patrick Mahomes famously declared that "the Kansas City Chiefs are never underdogs." Despite remarkable evidence that Mahomes does his best work when overlooked, oddsmakers repeatedly disrespect the three-time Super Bowl MVP in the playoffs.
The Chiefs are waiting to find out whether they'll host the Baltimore Ravens or Buffalo Bills. In the meantime, FanDuel Sportsbook released odds for hypothetical matchups. Kansas City would be favored over Buffalo, though a surprising twist gives Baltimore the edge in a potential rematch of 2023's Chiefs win.
It should go without saying that Mahomes needs to be the favorite at home in all circumstances. That it doesn't just continues to give bettors opportunities to capitalize on the foolishness.
Potential Chiefs vs. Ravens AFC Championship Opening Odds
Spread: KC +1.5 (-110) | BAL -1.5 (-110)
Moneyline: KC (+106) | BAL (-124)
Total: 46.5 - Over (-115) | Under (-105)
Even if you believe that the Chiefs weren't overly impressive in their victory over the Houston Texans, these odds are downright ridiculous. Aside from Mahomes' individual greatness, Kansas City's track record speaks for itself.
The Chiefs will be at home. The Chiefs beat the Ravens this year. The Ravens lost five games they were actually trying to win in the regular season while the Chiefs lost one.
As a cherry on top, the Chiefs beat the Ravens in Baltimore in this exact game last year. Any of these reasons individually would be enough reason to make Kansas City the favorite, yet here we are. Even if you believe TE Isaiah Likely's Week 1 comments that the Ravens were at their worst, this is a dramatically different Chiefs team.
Jaylen Watson and Charles Omenihu just played their first game together defensively, helping propel a dominant eight-sack effort. Meanwhile, Hollywood Brown and DeAndre Hopkins joined the receiving core, Xavier Worthy is more comfortable, and Travis Kelce's effort reflects the importance of the postseason.
Including the playoffs, the Chiefs have won six of their last seven meetings with the Ravens, covering the spread in five of them. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's defense has proven it can slow QB Lamar Jackson down, and it's equally notable that star RB Derrick Henry's worst game of the year came in Week 1.
If sportsbooks are going to keep disrespecting Kansas City, it's their own fault. Mahomes and the Chiefs are never real underdogs but until oddsmakers learn, the Kingdom can keep taking advantage of it.
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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.