Rivalries heat up at this time of year
AFC West lead on the line in Thursday night showdown between Raiders and Chiefs
Few games get the juices flowing more than a showdown for first place. Throw in one of sports’ greatest rivalries and the blood starts percolating.
That’s what we could be in for on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium when the Oakland Raiders (102) visit the Kansas City Chiefs (9-3) for the AFC West lead. The Chiefs have won four straight against the Raiders.
“As you get down the line (the games) get bigger and bigger,” Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith says. “That’s the great thing about this time of the year, the stages get bigger and more meaningful.”
Oakland has won six in a row, its last defeat coming at home to K.C. The Raiders are four-point underdogs at one of the toughest buildings to succeed in, particularly this chilly time of year.
Add in Denver also being a factor in the division ...
“It just shows how good our division is,” Raiders quarterback Derek Carr says. “Competition brings the best out of everybody. It’s been like that all year. We’ve all been right there with each other and we’ve all been pushing each other. It’s fun.”
More fun for Kansas City on Thursday. Chiefs, 24-23
Knockout League Tip: Colts will come through indoors.
New Orleans (+1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers are contenders. Can you believe it? Best Bet: Bucs, 33-23
Denver (+1) at Tennessee Titans not quite ready to take this big a step.
Upset Special: Broncos, 20-16
Dallas (-2½) at New York Giants Cowboys put the division and perhaps a lot more to bed. Cowboys, 24-16
Houston (+6) at Indianapolis Wouldn’t be shocked to see Texans fall entirely out of AFC South race. Colts, 22-14
Pittsburgh (-1) at Buffalo That ugly non-playoff streak gets longer for Bills. Steelers, 20-16
Chicago (+8) at Detroit Lions are making believers out of people. Lions, 30-13
Minnesota (-3) at Jacksonville
The Gus Bradley countdown continues for Jaguars. Vikings, 13-12
Washington (pick-em) at Philadelphia
Redskins really need this one. Redskins, 28-25
Seattle (-3) at Green Bay
Seahawks are banged up right now, but so are the Packers. Seahawks, 22-20
Falcons (-4½) at Los Angeles
Now that Bucs have caught them, Falcons get things right — for this week, at least. Falcons, 24-17
Arizona (+2½) at Miami
Did real Cardinals show up last week? Hope so ... Cardinals, 26-24
San Diego (+1) at Carolina
Cam Newton will show up in proper attire this time. Panthers, 30-27
Cincinnati (-5½) at Cleveland Many are pointing to this as the Browns’ only win. We’re not. Bengals, 28-16
New York Jets (+2½) at San Francisco Who knows? Who cares? Jets, 13-12
Baltimore (+7) at New England, Monday night Ravens will make it close. Patriots, 23-19
Last Week: Against spread (6-8-1). Straight up: (8-7)
Season Totals: Against spread (9092-7). Straight up: (112-78-2)
Best Bet: 7-6 against spread, 8-5 straight up.
Upset special: 5-7-1 against spread, 5-8 straight up