Kansas City (10-4) at Chicago (7-7)
When: Sunday, December 22nd, 2019
Where: Soldier Field,
Chicago, Illinois
Time: 8:20 ET | TV: NBC
Opening Odds: Kansas City -4/45
This week’s Kansas City Chiefs vs. Chicago Bears contest will be the last ‘scheduled’ Sunday Night Football game of the season. The NFL leaves Week 17 open and flexes one important game to Sunday night after Week 16’s action is complete. Chances are, we’ll be seeing the 49ers vs. Seahawks in this time slot, as it’s likely to be for the NFC West crown. As for this weeks game? The Bears have nothing to play for anymore, but Kansas City is seeking to chase down New England for the No. 2 seed and a first round bye. The Chiefs are a game behind the Patriots, but have a head-to-head win over them, thus gaining the tiebreaker. Kansas City is getting hot at the right time and their defense has turned it around in winning their last four games. The Chiefs have limited their last four opponents to 17 points or less and are runaway winners of the AFC West. They will face a Chicago team that has a very weak offense, but that too has gained some momentum. The Bears saw their three-game winning streak snapped in last week’s 21-13 loss at Green Bay after scoring 55 points in their previous two contests. Current Bears coach Matt Nagy is a former Chiefs offensive coordinator under Andy Reid and this will be their first head-to-head meeting. Chicago is 7-5 all-time vs. Kansas City, but the teams haven’t played since 2015, while the Under has cashed in each of the past four meetings.
Kansas City held the Broncos to 251 yards in last week’s 23-3 snowy blowout and has held two straight opponents to fewer than 300 total yards. They have also produced a turnover in five straight games, and the Chiefs are +5 in turnover margin over that span. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns – both to Tyreek Hill – last week and now has 17 career games with at least 300 passing yards, tied with Kurt Warner for the second-most such games in a player’s first three seasons in league history. Mahomes needs two touchdown passes to become the first player in NFL history with 75 touchdown passes in his first 30 games. Tight end Travis Kelce caught 11 passes for 142 yards to become the first tight end in NFL history with four consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. The Chiefs will wrap-up their season at home versus the L.A. Chargers next week.
Last Sunday’s loss to Green Bay eliminated the defending NFC North champion Bears from playoff contention. Mitch Trubisky threw for 334 yards with a touchdown but need 53 pass attempts to do so and threw two interceptions. He has now thrown a pick in five straight games but needs just 226 passing yards for his second consecutive 3,000-yard season. Chicago has struggled to run the ball all season, ranking 29th in the league (85.6) and average only 3.6 yards per carry. The Bears’ defense keeps this team in games and ranks third in fewest points allowed (18.1), but rank 13th in stopping the pass (227.4). Chicago closes out the season at Minnesota next week.
Chicago will be ready for this game in prime time. The offense is playing better and the defense should be able to slow down Mahomes enough to keep this one close. The Bears are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Pick: Bears +6 (More Week 16 Free Picks)
Chiefs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Chiefs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Chiefs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in December.
Chiefs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite.
Chiefs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on grass.
Chiefs are 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 road games.
Chiefs are 21-9 ATS in their last 30 games following a ATS win.
Chiefs are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games in Week 16.
Chiefs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Bears are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Bears are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in December.
Bears are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games as a home underdog.
Bears are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 16.
Bears are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games after scoring less than 15 points in their previous game.
Bears are 19-9-1 ATS in their last 29 home games.
Bears are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Bears are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games on grass.
Bears are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Bears are 1-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Bears are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Bears are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 4-0 in Chiefs last 4 games overall.
Under is 4-0 in Chiefs last 4 games in December.
Over is 5-1-1 in Chiefs last 7 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Chiefs last 5 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Chiefs last 5 games as a favorite.
Over is 6-2-1 in Chiefs last 9 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.
Under is 6-2 in Chiefs last 8 games in Week 16.
Over is 12-5 in Chiefs last 17 road games.
Over is 9-4 in Chiefs last 13 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 12-2 in Bears last 14 games after scoring less than 15 points in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Bears last 7 games as an underdog.
Under is 6-1 in Bears last 7 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 10-2 in Bears last 12 games in December.
Under is 13-3 in Bears last 16 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 13-3 in Bears last 16 games on grass.
Under is 4-1 in Bears last 5 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 8-2 in Bears last 10 home games.
Under is 6-2 in Bears last 8 games overall.
Over is 10-4 in Bears last 14 games in Week 16.
Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
