NFL WEEK 8 BEST BETS: MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Summary
In a Week 8 NFL matchup, the Kansas City Chiefs host the Washington Commanders. The Chiefs have historically dominated this infrequent series, holding a 10-1 all-time record. Kansas City is riding a two-game winning streak, including a decisive 31-0 victory last week, while Washington is struggling with a 3-4 record and will start backup quarterback Marcus Mariota due to Jayden Daniels’ injury.
The prediction is for a 34-16 Chiefs victory, with Kansas City covering the -11.5 point spread and the total score staying under 48 points. Several player props are recommended, including a parlay for Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, and Isiah Pacheco each scoring a touchdown. Other suggested bets involve Patrick Mahomes surpassing 252.5 passing yards and Marcus Mariota exceeding 150.5 passing yards.
By Adam Greene
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-11.5, O/U: 48)
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m.
Broadcast: ABC/ESPN
THE HISTORY
This might shock you because it did me. For two of the league’s older franchises, this will be just the 12th all-time meting between them since 1971. Yeah, that’s crazy. Here’s the other insane fact about it. The Chiefs rule this “rivalry” and hold a 10-1 advantage. The only Washington win came in 1983, when the then Washington Unmentionable Slurs won 27-12, in a quarterback duel between Joe Theismann and Bill Kenney. You know? The famous Bill Kenney, drafted in the 12th round of the 1978 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. That season, Mr. Bill Kenney, consistent Pro Football Hall of Fame snub, led the NFL in passing completions and passing attempts. He started just eight games the next year and was out of the NFL by 1989. He entered Missouri politics after that.
The two squads last faced off on Oct. 17, 2021, with Patrick Mahomes and Taylor Heinicke standing in for Kenney and Theismann respectively. Mahomes got the better of that matchup, winning 31-13.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-4)
The Commanders have not had the 2025 season they had hoped for so far, Jayden Daniels has dealt with injuries most of the season and is out again this week, replaced by Marcus Mariota. Last Sunday they were blown out by the Dallas Cowboys, 44-22, with Daniels finishing 12 of 22 for 156 yards and a touchdown with no picks. He led Washington in rushing with eight carries for 35 yards, scored a TD and was sacked twice. Mariota was 4 of 10 for 63 yards, no TDs and a pick. He was also sacked two times. Jaylin Lane caught three passes for 60 yards. The defense sacked Dak Prescott once.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (4-3)
After stumbling and bumbling their way to open the season, the Chiefs finally look like the Chiefs and have won two straight. Last week they beat the Las Vegas Raiders so bad, 31-0, they got into victory formation before the two-minute warning. Mahomes was 26 of 35 for 286 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He scrambled four times for 28 yards and was sacked once. Isiah Pacheco had 15 carries for 57 yards and a TD. Travis Kelce caught three passes for 54 yards. Rashee Rice had seven grabs for 42 yards and two scores. The defense held Vegas to just 70 yards passing and 25 yards rushing and might have begun the sad end to Geno Smith’s starting career. They sacked him once.
In the Friday Afternoon Quarterback I picked this one 34-16 and I’m feeling OK about that. With the current line at Chiefs -11.5, it means that KC will cover and we will hit the under. The under remains a very safe bet here, not because Kansas City can’t score points. I’m not sure what we’ll see out of the Commanders.
Because of that, most of our best bets will be Chiefs heavy. Since the Commies are on the ropes, this one could go bad quickly. Kansas City force fed Kelce and Rice last week, and Pacheco finally got the running game going so I like them all to get TDs this week. That parlay pays at +900.
Mahomes going over 252.5 passing yards and Mariota surpassing 150.5 seems like an easy winner and it pays at -125.
If you add Chris Jones getting 1+ sacks to that QB parlay, it pays at +290 and I feel like that’s slam dunk.
And, if you’re feeling squirrelly, put all those props together and it pays +3300.
Follow Adam Greene on Blue Sky @AdamGreene13, threads @adam.greene and Twitter @TheFirstMan
