The Kansas City Chiefs host the Washington Redskins for Monday Night Football this week. The line was up to eight points earlier this week but is currently hovering at seven points in favor of the Chiefs.
I looked across the internet to see picks for this game and everyone I’ve seen so far is picking the Chiefs to beat the Redskins. I’m not sure how this makes me feel. Whenever I see everyone taking one team - ahem, Week 1 - I think the NFL is crazy and the opposite will happen.
I would hold up the Chiefs and the Falcons as the two best teams in the NFL right now. Both teams boast a dynamic offense that thrives on big plays. Defensively, each outfit has a knack for timely turnovers and beating up opposing passers. It’s a simple, effective formula.
They also happen to be the only two undefeated teams left in the NFL after three weeks, so by virtue of their record, they’re also the two best teams. Our panel of expert NFL writers doesn’t see that changing this week either. Both teams are unanimous picks to win in Week 4.
Everyone is taking the Chiefs
Everyone is taking the Chiefs
Everyone is taking the Chiefs
What an important game, especially for the visiting Redskins. Washington has often faltered in these situations, needing a statement win in a national game (like last Thanksgiving in Dallas). This is not to say Washington never wins on the national stage -- SEE: last Sunday night, as well as last year, when Kirk Cousins torched the Packers -- but Monday night provides a huge challenge. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have an opportunity to open a two-game lead on either the Raiders or Broncos. And while it's too early to even broach the topic of home-field advantage in January, the Chiefs can continue to make the argument -- to outsiders and themselves -- that they're the best team in league.
@Chiefs (3-0, -7) over Redskins (2-1), 30-24: Sizzlin' MNF matchup. Chiefs have scored a TD of 50-plus yards in NFL-record nine straight games, but 'Skins looking playoff-good, too.
MDS’s take: The Chiefs’ offense is rolling, and I just don’t think Washington can keep up.
MDS’s pick: Chiefs 35, Washington 20.
Florio’s take: Washington’s win over the Raiders makes this game better, but the Chiefs continue to be the better team on both sides of the ball. For entertainment purposes, here’s hoping it won’t get ugly. But it definitely could.
Florio’s pick: Chiefs 27, Washington 17.
This is really fun matchup. Washington's defense is good up front. Kansas City's offense and blocking schemes are diverse. Get ready for a battle of x's and o's. Andy Reid's team is at home and winners of 23 of 25 regular season games. After this one, it might be time to start thinking about the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC going through Arrowhead. THE PICK: Chiefs.
Luke: I’m wary of bigger spreads, but I really like this Chiefs team, especially at home. They’ll cover this.
Steven: Not trusting Kirk Cousins on the road against a good defense. Chiefs will continue to look like one of the better teams in the league and cover this one.
Charles: The Chiefs are probably the best team in the NFL right now but the Skins will do just enough to cover, maybe in garbage time.
Everyone taking the Chiefs
I'm going with the Chiefs for a couple of reasons. The first is that Kansas City's playmakers seem to make big plays more often than other teams. In fact, the Chiefs have scored a touchdown of 50 yards or more in nine consecutive games. That's an NFL record, and it's incredible.
The other reason is that this game is at Arrowhead on a Monday night. When you're playing on a national stage in one of the loudest stadiums in football, home-field advantage is tangible.
Prediction: Chiefs 27, Redskins 24
It seems like with Alex Smith playing well and Kareem Hunt playing awesome, the Chiefs' offense can't be stopped, even when either Travis Kelce or Tyreek Hill has an off game. Washington will have trouble with Hunt and Kelce, so it will likely be on Kirk Cousins, Chris Thompson and Vernon Davis to keep its passing game hot in order to keep up. The Chiefs survive a second straight home game against an NFC East foe in familiar-but-closer fashion.
PICK: Chiefs win 27-24 but fail to cover the spread.
Skinny: RB Kareem Hunt's Chiefs control game from start, but the Redskins score garbage-time TD for backdoor cover. Chiefs, 27-21.