Don’t overlook underdog Raiders in rivalry game with Chiefs

By Brent Musburger Special to the Review-Journal

5 years ago

Field Judge James Coleman (95) tries to break up a fight between Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) and Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Murray (21) who is held back by outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) during the first half of an NFL game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018. Heidi Fang Las Vegas Review-Journal @HeidiFang

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) is tackled by Oakland Raiders strong safety Marcus Gilchrist (31), cornerback Gareon Conley (21) and cornerback Nick Nelson (23) during the second half of an NFL game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018. Heidi Fang Las Vegas Review-Journal @HeidiFang

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) and defensive end Chris Jones (95) during the second half of an NFL game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018. Heidi Fang Las Vegas Review-Journal @HeidiFang

Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (28) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Lee Smith (86) as Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Murray (21) watches the replay during the first half of an NFL game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018. Heidi Fang Las Vegas Review-Journal @HeidiFang

Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (28) tries to push his way into the end zone and Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Murray (21) goes in for the tackle during the first half of an NFL game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018. Heidi Fang Las Vegas Review-Journal @HeidiFang

KANSAS CITY — Raiders coach Jon Gruden told his team after Monday’s victory over Denver: “Fellas, we’ve got one game left. It’s against the team we hate the most — the Kansas City Chiefs. They hate us, too, so it should be a heckuva game.”

Vegas bookmakers think otherwise. They opened the Chiefs -13, and the line moved to -14 in some shops.

Gruden might be offering a better prediction than the bookies. His team hasn’t quit and it played better overall in December, winning two of four games outright as an underdog and covering a third, losing 40-33 as a 14-point dog to these same Chiefs.

The Raiders hung tough that day, scoring five times in six second-half possessions, and might have won the game outright except three different backs lost fumbles. This Kansas City team is flawed on defense and they’ve been burning cash with only one cover in the last 8 weeks.

My view of the Raiders as live dogs comes with two warnings:

1. The Raiders have not played well on the road, beating only woeful Arizona and covering a September game in Denver.

2. The Chiefs will not take their Week 17 game lightly. A win insures home field throughout the playoffs. Patrick Mahomes won’t be a no-show.

But 13 points in a rivalry game with a Raiders team that hasn’t quit is too tasty.

Just cover, baby!

Westgate Supercontest update: VSIN1 sits in 42nd place, tied with 13 other teams. Last week, I went 3-2, losing twice by the hook as both the Cowboys and Eagles failed to cover. With a trip to in KC this weekend, I’m keeping Proxy Matty on speed dial.

More betting: Follow at reviewjournal.com/betting and @RJ_Sports on Twitter.

Brent Musburger’s betting column appears Saturday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. His show on the Vegas Stats & Information Network can be heard on SiriusXM 204 and livestreamed at reviewjournal.com/vegas-stats-information-network.