In a Week 18 showdown, the Las Vegas Raiders will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, marking another chapter in their long-standing rivalry. This matchup takes place at Allegiant Stadium, featuring two teams struggling this season. The Raiders, currently sitting at 2-14, have been on a disappointing streak, having not secured a victory since Week 6. Their most recent game was a disheartening 34-10 loss to the New York Giants, which marked their tenth consecutive defeat.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, are also in a tough spot. With their playoff hopes dashed after being eliminated in Week 15, they have been dealing with significant setbacks, including the loss of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a torn ACL. Historically, the Chiefs have dominated this rivalry, winning nine of the last ten encounters and taking the overall series lead with just three wins for the Raiders since 2013.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on CBS and available for streaming on Paramount+. According to the latest odds from DraftKings, Kansas City is favored by 4.5 points, with an over/under of 36.5 for total points scored. Both teams have had mixed results against the spread, boasting a 6-10 record this season, yet recent trends show the Raiders struggling to cover, having failed in five of their last seven games.
The betting preview indicates that the model gives the Raiders a modest 39% chance of winning outright, with a 54% covering rate for the spread. The Over/Under suggests a low-scoring affair, where simulations point to a projected total of around 34 points. Notably, both teams have a tendency to score under, with the Chiefs’ games hitting the Under in 10 of their last 11 outings.
Experts predict a closely contested matchup, with a final score forecast of Chiefs 19, Raiders 15. As both teams enter this matchup with little on the line, fans will be hoping for a battle filled with excitement despite the disappointing seasons. This game presents an opportunity for both teams to finish their campaigns on a high note, making it an intriguing contest to close out the NFL regular season.