Kansas City Chiefs vs. Atlanta Falcons, 8/17/18 NFL Predictions & Odds

Chiefs vs. Falcons Preseason Pick

Two teams that dropped their preseason opener last week will meet in Georgia on Friday night when the Atlanta Falcons host the Kansas City Chiefs. Is the under a safe play for bettors?

Game Snapshot

409 Kansas City Chiefs at 410 Atlanta Falcons

7:00 p.m. ET, Friday, August 17, 2018

Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA

Public Betting Information & Odds

According to oddsmakers, the Falcons opened as a 3-point home favorite but the Chiefs are now -1.5. As for the total, the number hit the board at 41 but has been bet down to 40.5. As of this writing, 64% of the betting tickets are on Kansas City to cover the spread.

Kansas City Chiefs

Pat Mahomes completed 5-of-7 passes for 33 yards in the Chiefs' preseason opener. Mahomes' first pass of the night was a 14-yard gain to Travis Kelce, and the tight end picked up another first down on the next series. That was about it for the starting offense. Mahomes has reportedly struggled with interceptions in camp, and it would not be surprising if that continued into his first season as the starter. Even so, his playmaking ability makes him an intriguing late-round option.

Atlanta Falcons

Julio Jones said red-zone success is "all about us being on the same page." Atlanta moved the ball well last season, finishing eighth in total offense, but they struggled to put points on the board in part because of their red-zone woes. "It's very important for me and Matt to be on the same page down there in the red zone," Jones said. "Not having to think when we get down there, knowing where he's going to put the ball, and knowing what I can do before he puts the ball in there." Jones added it can be tough for him to get the ball because teams bracket him near the end zone, but first-round rookie Calvin Ridley could help draw some attention away. Almost a lock to score more than three times this season, Jones is a great pick at the top of the second round.

Betting Trends

Kansas City

The Chiefs have covered the spread in four of their last five games dating back to last season.

Atlanta

The Falcons are 4-1 against the number in their last five home games dating back to last season.

Prediction

The Falcons played uninspired, unmotivated football a week ago. They should be sharper tonight but I still don’t trust their offense to fire on all cylinders after they were shut out a week ago in East Rutherford. The Chiefs hardly looked like they were in midseason form offensively last week either. I like the under tonight.

 

NFL Preseason Prediction: Chiefs/Falcons under 40.5