Rams vs Chiefs Preview (11/27/22): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart

What was expected to be one of week 12’s top games between the reigning super bowl champs and the Chiefs, who’ve made four consecutive conference championships, now looks like the blowout of the week. The Rams have gone from first to worst in a heartbeat after a loss to the Saints stretched their losing streak to four. Can the 8-2 Chiefs follow through with their expectations? Let’s check out the odds, injuries, and matchups to determine who’s likely to get the win.

Los Angeles Rams Vs. Kansas City Chiefs Betting Odds

The Chiefs are favored by an astounding (-15.5) over the Rams (+15), the largest spread of the weekend. With an over under of just 44, this game is projected to a far cry from the 54-51 contest these teams played in four years ago. The Chiefs are also rightfully the heavy favorite as one of the top 3 teams in the league, especially after QB Matthew Stafford was ruled out of the game.

Los Angeles Rams Vs. Kansas City Chiefs Prediction

Sunday night’s 30-27 over the Chargers didn’t just bring the Chiefs to 8-2, but put them once again at the #1 seed in the AFC. Even after the departure of WR Tyreek Hill this offseason and almost falling to their divison rival Chargers, the Chiefs have proven they’re still the NFL‘s standard for consistency. The Chiefs continue to prove there’s no such thing as a safe lead against them, with another end of game comeback. While Mahomes and TE Travis Kelce dominate the Chiefs headlines, don’t sleep on LB Nick Bolton who added an interception, and DT Chris Jones who came up with two sacks in the win over the Chargers.

The Rams head on their second straight road game after losing 27-20 to the 4-7 Saints. More concerning than the Rams loss to the Saints is the head injury to QB Matthew Stafford. The Rams medical staff is being called into question after Stafford left his 2nd game in three weeks with a head/neck injury. Stafford was ruled out, so the Rams will likely start third string QB Bryce Perkins as backup John Wolford was still limited in practice Wednesday. With Stafford and Kupp injured, a porous offensive line, and Perkins making his first career start in Arrowhead stadium, the Rams will be lucky if they get out of Kansas City alive this Sunday.

The question for this game–barring a Rams miracle–isn’t whether the Chiefs will win, but if they can cover. Though the Chiefs have won 8 games already this season, only two wins were by more than 10 points, both of which came against NFC West teams. I’ll bet on the Chiefs to cover as well as get the win, especially with Stafford out.

Prediction: Chiefs 30-10, Under hits

Betting Trends

Rams are 3-8 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Chiefs are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.

Key Injuries

Los Angeles Rams Injuries: Brian Allen (Q), Travin Howard (Q), John Wolford (Q),
Xavier Jones (Q), Daniel Hardy (Q), Jordan Fuller (Q), A’Shawn Robinson (Q), Ty Nsekhe (Q), Cooper Kupp (O), Matthew Stafford (Q), David Edwards (Q)

Kansas City Chiefs Injuries: Chris Lammons (Q), JuJu Smith-Schuster (Q), Lucas Niang (Q), Juan Thornhill (Q), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Q), Kadarius Toney (Q), Blake Bell (Q)

Key Matchups

The Rams Offensive Line vs the Chiefs Defensive Front

No matter who starts at QB this Sunday for the Rams, they will likely face a ton of pressure from the Chiefs defensive line. The Rams offensive line has struggled all season, giving up the 3rd most sacks all season at 35. On the opposing side, the Chiefs defense is tied for 4th most sacks this season with 32. They come off sacking Chargers QB Justin Herbert 5 times last Sunday, and DT Chris Jones excelling with a two sack performance. Jones has now reached 9 sacks on the season, tied for 5th most among all defenders this season. Expect to see Jones in the Rams backfield causing havoc on Sunday.

Travis Kelce vs Rams Secondary

Even with the Rams disappointing season, the defense has maintained respectability especially when guarding tight ends. The Rams defense has not given up more than 70 yards to a TE all season, despite playing top TE’s in George Kittle, Zach Ertz, and Kyle Pitts. They face their toughest test of the season going up against the league’s best TE Travis Kelce this Sunday. Though the Chiefs had multiple receivers like Juju Smith-Schuster and Kadarius Toney out with injury, Kelce was unstoppable with a 115 yard, 3 touchdown performance. Kelce leads all tight ends in receiving yards with 855, 300 more yards than the second best TE, and also has the most receiving touchdowns across all positions with 11. After breaking the TE record for most 100 yard games last Sunday, it’s hard to not see Kelce breaking through Jalen Ramsey and the Rams secondary.

THAT LOOKS FAMILIAR @TKELCE pic.twitter.com/yrDxt42lNq

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 21, 2022

Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart

QB: Matthew Stafford
RB1: Darrell Henderson Jr.
RB2: Cam Akers
LWR:Allen Robinson II
RWR: Van Jefferson
SWR: Cooper Kupp
TE1: Tyler Higbee

Kansas City Chiefs Depth Chart

QB:Patrick Mahomes
RB1: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
RB2: Jerick McKinnon
LWR: Marquez Valdez-Scantling
RWR: Juju Smith-Schuster
SWR: Mecole Hardman
TE1: Travis Kelce