Kansas City Chiefs vs. Washington Football Team Matchup Preview (10/17/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Washington Football Team Matchup Preview (10/17/21)

The Chiefs are in free-fall.

Despite having one of the best quarterbacks in the league, who’s on pace for record-breaking numbers, the 2019 Super Bowl champions are in last place in their division. Andy Reid’s defense is a dumpster fire.

Meanwhile, Washington’s spinning their tires. They’re 2-3 with a -32 point differential. While Taylor Heinicke looked great when he initially replaced Ryan Fitzpatrick, the offense has lagged in recent weeks.

The Chiefs still have the second-best odds to win the AFC, and they’ve opened as 6.5-point favorites as a result. However, have they played well enough to earn this respect?

Let’s dive into this matchup.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Washington Football Team Betting Odds

How do you not bet the over in this game?

The Chiefs’ defense is the worst in the league, while the Football Team’s defense is wildly overrated. Mahomes will drop 30+ points again, while the Woodrow Wilson High School football team could move the ball on this Kansas City defense.

We’ve already tracked some sharp money hitting the over, as it opened at 54.5 and has been bet up to 55.5. I’d still take it at this number, as I think both Washington and Kansas City will drop 30+ points.

My Predictions: Over 55.5 (-110 at BetMGM)

US States with Legal Sports Gambling

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, October 17
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: FedEx Field, Summerfield, MD
TV Coverage: CBS

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Washington Football Team Live Stream

Where can you watch Chiefs vs. Football Team online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Chiefs vs. Football Team Free Online Now.

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Injuries

Kansas City Chiefs:
Washington Football Team:

Kansas City Chiefs Analysis

The Chiefs defense is the worst in the league, and it’s not particularly close:

Defense

So, while the Chiefs have scored the fifth-most points, they’ve allowed the most. That leads to a losing record.

Here’s how the Chiefs defense ranks among important advanced stats:

  • 32nd in Defense DVOA
  • 31st in Passing Defense DVOA
  • 32nd in Rushing Defense DVOA
  • 32nd in Defense EPA/P
  • 30th in Passing Defense EPA/P
  • 32nd in Rush Defense EPA/p
  • 31st in Defensive Passing Success Rate
  • 32nd in Defensive Rushing Success Rate
  • 31st in PFF’s Defensive grades
  • 32nd in PFF’s Rush Defense grades
  • 29th in PFF’s Pressure grades

Last week, the Bills exposed the Chiefs to the entire nation. The Bills have an above-average offense led by an elite quarterback in Josh Allen, and they dropped 38 points on the Chiefs in Arrowhead. Meanwhile, Buffalo has one of the most efficient defenses of all-time through five weeks, and they held the best offense in the league to just 5.0 yards per play while forcing four turnovers.

The Chiefs got down early, and so they were forced to throw the ball a lot. However, I’m still surprised they didn’t look to the run more. The Chiefs averaged 5.2 yards per carry, but they only ran the ball on 23 of their 79 total plays. And against this unbelievable pass defense, Mahomes averaged 4.9 yards per attempt while throwing two picks.

Speaking of Mahomes: He leads the league in touchdowns and is sixth in passing yards, but he grades out as PFF’s 19th-ranked quarterback. He’s been a little careless with the football, already making five Turnover Worthy Plays and throwing six interceptions.

However, I believe that Mahomes can fix these issues moving forward. What’s more important is that the Chiefs fix their defense. Because if things stay the way they are, there’s no way they win the division, and there’s a good chance they miss the playoffs altogether.

Kansas City Chiefs Depth Chart

QB: Patrick Mahomes
RB1: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
WR1: Tyreek Hill
WR2: Mecole Hardman
WR3: Demarcus Robinson
TE1: Travis Kelce

Washington Football Team Analysis

Before the season, Washington was the favorite to win the NFC East. Behind Ryan Fitzpatrick and an elite defense, this team should cruise through a weak division.

Well, they lost Fitzpatrick to injury, and the defense has been far from elite.

In fact, Washington ranks 28th in Football Outsiders’ Defense DVOA. They’ve been particularly in the secondary, where the team ranks 29th in PFF’s coverage grades.

The defensive line has been fine, and the team ranks 11th in Rush Defense DVOA as a result. However, when teams can pass all over you for 7.0 yards per attempt and over 0.3 EPA per play, it’s tough to get off the field in today’s NFL.

Heinicke has been an inconsistent mystery. Here’s his stat line for each matchup:

  • Week 1 vs. LAC: 11-for-15 (73.3%), 122 yards (8.1 YPA), 1 TD, 0 INT, 119.3 Rate
  • Week 2 vs. NYG34-for-46 (73.9%), 336 yards (7.3 YPA), 2 TD, 1 INT, 99.5 Rate
  • Week 3 @ BUF: 14-for-24 (58.3%), 212 yards (8.8 YPA), 2 TD, 2 INT, 80.6 Rate
  • Week 4 @ ATL: 23-for-33 (69.7%), 290 yards (8.8 YPA), 3 TD, 0 INT, 127.1 Rate
  • Week 5 vs. NOR: 20-for-41 (48.8%), 248 yards (6.1 YPA), 0 TD, 2 INT, 47.6 Rate

His performance has been a rollercoaster. However, his PFF grades have remained low, as he grades out as PFF’s 38th best quarterback. Moreover, he’s made a whopping 10 Turnover Worthy Plays over just his past three games.

But Heinicke is a gunslinger. When he’s running hot, he’s incredible. But when he’s not, it’s going to be hard for the Football Team’s offense to get momentum.

All-in-all, there’s a lot of question marks surrounding this team, and their 1-4 ATS record makes them tough to back.

Washington Football Team Depth Chart

QB: Taylor Heinicke
RB1: Antonio Gibson
RB2: Jared McKissic
WR1: Terry McLaurin
WR2: Adam Humphries
WR3: Curtis Samuel
TE: Ricky Seals-Jones

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Washington Football Team Daily Fantasy Picks

With Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s injury, I’d take a look at Darrel Williams.

First, Williams is going to get a lot of opportunities with CEH out. However, he’s made seven receptions over his past three games, and the Washington defense ranks 31st in Passing Defense DVOA vs. RBs. They’ve allowed 5.1 receptions and 36.1 receiving yards per game to backs so far this season.

Williams will get a lot of chances in this high-powered passing attack, and he’ll likely get some goal-line rushing opportunities as well. He has a lot of upside, and will probably still be undervalued in the DFS markets.

Week 6 Matchup Previews
  • Bills @ Rams
  • Saints @ Falcons
  • Browns @ Panthers
  • 49ers @ Bears
  • Steelers @ Bengals
  • Eagles @ Lions
  • Colts @ Texans
  • Patriots @ Dolphins
  • Ravens @ Jets
  • Jaguars @ Commanders
  • Giants @ Titans
  • Chiefs @ Cardinals
  • Raiders @ Chargers
  • Packers @ Vikings
  • Buccaneers @ Cowboys
  • Broncos @ Seahawks
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Tanner joined Lineups to cover everything, but he has vast experience in, and unlimited passion for, Major League Baseball and NCAA Basketball. He’s a McGill University grad and former (Canadian) Division-I alpine ski racer who now spends his time drinking beer and betting home underdogs. Patrick Mahomes is a poor man’s Tom Brady.

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