Arrowheadlines: Bettors are putting their money on the Raiders

The latest

AFC West NFL betting trends: Las Vegas Raiders taking most overall action to win division | Sports Line

The Kansas City Chiefs are defending Super Bowl champions, have the best quarterback on the planet in NFL MVP betting favorite Patrick Mahomes and have won the AFC West Division four years running. While the Chiefs are -450 favorites at William Hill sportsbook to make it five, Mahomes & Co. haven’t really captured the attention of bettors yet.

Kansas City is taking just six percent of all money wagered at William Hill sportsbook on the odds to win the AFC West – that’s the lowest number in the division. In addition, 20 percent of all tickets have been sold on the Chiefs. It could simply be that bettors don’t like how heavily favored Kansas City is as that’s not a great return on investment. It also could be that no team has been quieter this offseason in terms of additions as the Chiefs are tight up against the salary cap.

Patrick Mahomes’ agent writes essay titled ‘How to win NFL free agency’ | Kansas City Star

Steinberg wrote there are eight football considerations as well:

1. Starting

2. Winning

3. Quality of Coaching

4. Strength of Roster

5. Offensive or Defensive systems

6. Ownership

7. Management

8. Quality of facilities

Five Things to Know About New Chiefs’ CB Antonio Hamilton | The Mothership

3. In fact, he was one of the best in the business on special teams in 2019

Among players to see at least 80 percent of special teams’ snaps, Hamilton graded out as the sixth-best overall special teamer in the NFL last season according to Pro Football Focus, where his impressive athleticism – such as his 4.38 second 40-yard dash clocked ahead of the 2016 NFL Draft – was on full display.

Tabeek’s 2020 NFL Mock Draft 6.0: Corner-needy Falcons take ex-Gator | AtlantaFalcons.com

32. CB Kristian Fulton, LSU

The Chiefs know you can never have enough good cornerbacks and could take some hits there in free agency. Fulton can step in and start.

Other NFL teams spending freely in free agency. Here’s what Chiefs have done, and why | Kansas City Star

As previously reported by The Star, the Chiefs showed interest in two-time Pro Bowl guard Andrus Peat, who eventually returned to the New Orleans Saints on a lucrative five-year deal reportedly worth more than $57 million. The Chiefs also wanted to bring back Wisniewski before he chose to sign with Pittsburgh, his hometown town, on a two-year deal.

40 Classic Sports Games and Moments to Revisit While Social Distancing | The Ringer

Andrew Luck Has His Playoff Moment

Things looked ugly for Indianapolis early. The Colts fell behind 28 points in the third quarter, and their season seemed set to end with a disappointing thud. That is, until the Colts engineered the second-greatest NFL playoff comeback in history, finishing the game on a 35-6 scoring run that included Luck scoring on a fumble recovery (!!!). Indy won, 45-44.

Best Chiefs-centric strategy for Chiefs vs. 49ers simulation Showdown | Draft Kings

We’ve offered a best overall lineup strategy for this free Simulated Football Showdown contest, but let’s consider a Chiefs-specific lineup for this rematch of Super Bowl 54 between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.

Captain’s Picks

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs ($19,500)

Looking back at the 2019 season, we want to find the most consistent and/or high upside players for the Captain’s slot. For quarterbacks, we want those with the best chance for rushing points, as their DK scores are calculated by their receivers random stat lines but the QB’s random rushing lines are thrown in for good measure. In this matchup, Patrick Mahomes has the best rushing stats and easily the best receiving lines from his receivers.

Around the NFL

Why Joe Montana believes Patriots letting Tom Brady walk was ‘mistake’ | NBC Sports

Montana, wearing No. 19 rather than the No. 16 he made iconic with the 49ers, led the Chiefs to back-to-back playoff appearances — including an AFC Championship Game — in his final two seasons. The 63-year-old looked back on his change of scenery as rejuvenating, and he expects the same will be true of Brady.

“It actually brings a new excitement to you, to a certain degree,” Montana said. “Because it’s not going to be the same-ol’, same-ol’ going into the same locker room that you’ve been going into for so many years, seeing the same people over and over. He doesn’t need a fresh start, but it gives you a great feeling inside, looking forward to trying to help the team move forward. And everybody believes in him, looking forward to watching him play.”

SoFi Stadium construction ongoing in L.A. within ‘Safe’ guidelines | ESPN

“We’re going to do whatever we need to do to save lives,” Alex Comisar, a spokesman for L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, said Wednesday. “We’ll continue to take direction from public health experts from the county and the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] to determine what policies need to be put into place. With any activity that’s going on, we expect folks to take into account proper social distancing.”

NFL free agency: Fits for Cam Newton, Jadeveon Clowney, more | NFL.com

Carlos Hyde, running back

Team fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers lacked any semblance of a running game last season — a reality created in part by their early deficits produced by Jameis Winston’s interceptions — and they watched Peyton Barber walk to Washington this week. That leaves Ronald Jones as the lone notable back in their backfield. Tom Brady’s best teams have almost always had a larger, reliable running back who could carry a significant load, and Hyde could fit that bill with ease. With the RB turning 30 in September, it likely wouldn’t cost Tampa much, either.

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys are reportedly talking about an extension again | Blogging the Boys (Dallas Cowboys SB Nation site)

Obviously this is news in the sense that it is newly being discussed, but we have known for a long time now that the Cowboys and Dak Prescott’s team are seemingly both of a particular belief. Each side wants something different. That’s how negotiations work.

In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride

Mahomes’ scrambling ability could take his game to a different level

“I think, mentally, I can take my game to a whole ‘nother level.”

That’s what Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said a few weeks ago during his appearance on HBO’s “The Shop: Uninterrupted.”

His bold comment had football fans wondering how the 2018’s NFL MVP (and 2019’s and Super Bowl MVP) could boost his performance any more. In the episode, he was referencing his growth in reading and manipulating defensive coverages.

Report: Cowboys sign away former Chiefs tight end Blake Bell

With Andy Reid using his fair share of multiple-tight end sets, Bell played 397 offensive snaps (37.8%) during the 2019 regular season for the Chiefs. He also added 209 special teams snaps (50%).

Primarily serving as a blocker, Bell’s offensive output was limited; he registered only eight catches for 67 yards in 2019. His lone touchdown of the season came in the divisional round against the Houston Texans — a score that put the Chiefs up 48-31 in an eventual 51-31 win.

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