It wasn’t the end to the season that the Kansas City Chiefs had hoped, but there’s no reason to believe they’re going anywhere. Down both starting offensive tackles, Patrick Mahomes was pressured by the ferocious Tampa Bay defense all night long and his team failed to score a touchdown. Despite the rough statline, Mahomes made some incredible plays to escape sacks and ultimately missed out on two touchdowns due to drops from his receiving corps.
Although the Chiefs open 2021-22 as the favorites to win Super Bowl LVI, there is some urgency in the organization. For one, coach Andy Reid isn’t getting any younger nor farther away from potential retirement. Many of the pieces that led the Chiefs to two straight Super Bowls were re-signed and star guard Joe Thuney was added in free agency; further, KC added Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown in a trade with the Ravens. The trick to running back another year under this team is keeping the crew together and most of the same players are still in place moving forward.
As long as Mahomes is behind center and their corps of Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill stay put, the Chiefs will be contenders. They’ll be back in the mix in 2021-22, even if this offseason leaves a sting.
Kansas City Chiefs Week 1 odds
The Kansas City Chiefs’ 2021 revenge tour begins at home with a team whose team KC ended in 2020– the Cleveland Browns. Even without Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs were able to pull off a gutty win sealed with a fourth-down conversion thanks to Chad Henne. The Chiefs () opened as 5.5-point favorites, a number that’s likely to remain steady as both teams improved their rosters in the offseason.
Cleveland signed several high-profile defensive backs, which is a direct response to Mahomes’ 255 passing yards in just over a half. The recipe to success in the playoffs was involving their star pass catchers, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, who combined for 219 of KC’s total 315 receiving yards. The Chiefs were 8-1 a season ago when either Hill or Kelce eclipsed 100 yards, including 3-0 when both did. Despite finishing a NFL-best 14-2, the Chiefs finished just 7-9 against the spread last year.
While 2020’s matchup combined for just 39 points, their Week 1 game is projected to combine for points.
Complete Week 1 betting preview: Browns vs. Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs futures odds
Futures are long-term bets that can range from an offseason to a full season (or beyond). Team win totals, award winners, and player performance are common futures.
Chiefs Super Bowl odds and other futures markets 2021
- Odds to win Super Bowl: +500
- To win AFC: +260
- To win AFC West: -290
- Make playoffs: -1000
- Chiefs win total: 12.5 (+120)
Odds last updated July 12
Chiefs prop bets
Prop bets are based on individual performance, typically surrounding players. The Chiefs had one of the most explosive offenses in 2020 and therefore were one of the most popular targets for prop bets. For example, Patrick Mahomes had a projected passing total of 285.5 yards in the Chiefs’ Week 13 matchup with the Denver Broncos. That game, Mahomes passed for 318 yards, giving those who bet the over on his passing prop the win.
Search below for Kansas City Chiefs odds, team or player props currently being offered at sportsbooks. You can also look around at other teams and players using this tool. Happy shopping!
Kansas City Chiefs 2021 schedule and betting odds
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff Time | Opening Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Sunday, Sept. 12 | vs. Cleveland Browns | 4:25 p.m. ET | Chiefs -5.5 |
| Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 19 | at Baltimore Ravens | 8:20 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 26 | vs. LA Chargers | 1 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 3 | at Philadelphia Eagles | 1 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 10 | vs. Buffalo Bills | 8:20 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 17 | at Washington Football Team | 1 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 24 | at Tennessee Titans | 1 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 8 | Monday, Nov. 1 | vs. New York Giants | 8:15 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 7 | vs. Green Bay Packers | 4:25 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 10 | Sunday, Nov. 14 | at Las Vegas Raiders | 8:20 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 21 | vs. Dallas Cowboys | 4:25 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 12 | BYE | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 5 | vs. Denver Broncos | 1 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 12 | vs. Las Vegas Raiders | 1 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 15 | Thursday, Dec. 16 | at LA Chargers | 8:20 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 16 | Sunday, Dec. 26 | vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | 4:25 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 17 | Sunday, Jan. 2 | at Cincinnati Bengals | 1 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 18 | Sunday, Jan. 9 | at Denver Broncos | 4:25 p.m. | OTB |
Best Chiefs betting site(s)
How to bet on the Kansas City Chiefs
Moneyline
The moneyline is the simplest of bets, decided by the straight-up winner and loser of each game. Consider the following example:
- Chiefs -185
- 49ers +310
The Chiefs are considered heavy favorites in this matchup (indicated by -185), requiring a $185 bet to win $100 (plus the initial bet back). The 49ers are the underdog in this matchup, paying out $410 total for a $100 bet ($310 in winnings). How much either team wins or loses by does not matter in moneyline betting, the payout remains the same.
Point spread
Betting on the point spread is determinant on how many points a team wins or loses by. Take the following example:
- Chiefs -7.5 (-110)
- Patriots +7.5 (-110)
In this example, Kansas City is favored by 7.5 points, indicated by “-7.5.” If the Chiefs win the game 30-21, the Chiefs (-7.5) win the bet and would have a total payout of $19.09 on a $10 bet ($9.09 in profit). If the Patriots keep the game within eight and lose 28-24, the Patriots (+7.5) would win, and the payout would be the same as listed above.
Point total (over/under)
The point total refers to the over/under line set by books. This number projects the total number of points scored in a game and, like prop betting, is bet whether one thinks the score will go over or under the set point total. For example, the Chiefs’ Week 6 matchup with the Buffalo Bills had a projected point total of 59.5 points. Kansas City won the game 26-17, totaling 43 points. Those who bet under the point total in this game would have cashed out.
The Chiefs’ explosive offense and ability to score bunches of points in a short amount of time often gave them a higher than league average for over/unders. In 2020, it wasn’t uncommon to see point totals like the aforementioned 59.5 points and that’s expected to continue into 2021 as long as Patrick Mahomes plays at an elite level.
Live betting and in-play
Sometimes, the most thrilling and rewarding bets are bets made while games are being played. These are referred to as live bets or in-play bets. Odds are ever-changing during games, which would prove to be fruitful for sharp and prepared bettors. For example, if the Chiefs (-255) were heavily favored against the Giants (+190) before kickoff, a payout on a $10 bet on the Chiefs to win would win just $3.92.
However, say the Chiefs fell to a big 17-3 deficit in the first half despite controlling the overall game (due to a costly turnover or special teams gaffe). Odds may swing in favor of the Giants, who may be a -110 favorite at halftime. Taking the Chiefs to come back and win the game could present plus-odds (say, +130). Should a bettor take Kansas City (+130) at halftime and the Chiefs pull off the comeback, winners would win $13 instead of $3.92 (plus the initial $10 bet).
This could also be an effective way to “hedge” your bet; say a bettor took the Giants (+190) in that game, but Kansas City jumps out to a 21-0 first quarter lead and is controlling the overall feel of the game, bettors could hedge by throwing some money down on Kansas City (-320) to return some of the inevitably-lost bet.
Parlays and teasers
You can always string bets together in the form of parlays or teasers. Usually during busy Sundays, bettors can parlay several teams to win or cover against the spread and if all bets are successful, the payouts are multiplied. Teasers function similarly, except they allow bettors to move each point spread to a more favorable line in exchange for diminished odds.
Chiefs 2020 recap
Record: 14-2
Record ATS: 7-9
Over/under record: 8-8
14-2 has become a sort of expectation for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs after they’ve dominated the NFL for the past three seasons. Kansas City’s trademark one-play offense was ever-present under Andy Reid and it took them all the way to another Super Bowl. However, there was talk all season long that KC was letting their opponents stick around longer than they should have. Examples of this reside in Week 16 against the Falcons (17-14), in Week 13 against the Broncos (22-16), in Week 8 against the Panthers (33-31), and a handful of other weeks. This resulted in their 7-9 record against the spread.
Chiefs 2021 offseason moves
Trades: T Orlando Brown (from Ravens)
Re-signings: T Mike Remmers (one year, $6.8 million), G Andrew Wylie (tender), CB Charvarius Ward (one year, $3.4 million), WR Byron Pringle (one year, $2.1 million)
Free agent losses: WR Keelan Cole (to Jets)
Free agent signings: G Joe Thuney (five years, $80 million)
Key draft picks: LB Nick Bolton, C Creed Humphrey, WR Cornell Powell, G Trey Smith