Two playoff teams face off in Seattle in hopes to improve their playoff standing Sunday night. The Chiefs lead the all time series 33-18, and the Chiefs have won 3 straight dating back to 2006 though the Seahawks did win a preseason game last year.
The Chiefs dropped just their 3rd game of the season last week in a 29-28 loss to the Chargers. In week 13, they beat the Raiders 40-33, and in week 14 they beat the Ravens 27-24.
The Seahawks lost 26-23 to their division rival 49ers last week. In week 13, they beat the 49ers 43-16, and in week 14 they beat the Vikings 21-7.
Bovada has the Chiefs as 3 point favourites with the O/U set at 54.5.
The Chiefs offense continues to be electric, but have faced a couple good defenses the past 2 weeks in the Ravens and the Chargers. Pat Mahomes has lit the league on fire, throwing for 4543 yards, 45 TDs, and 11 INTs while completing 67.1% of his passes and averaging 8.8 YPA. Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill have formed a dynamic duo in the receiving game. Kelce has caught 93 balls for 1220 yards and 10 TDs, while Hill has 78 catches for 1304 yards and 11 TDs. Damien Williams and Spencer Ware have taken over the running back spot, and on the year have combined for 77 carries, 248 yards, and 5 TDs on the ground.
The Chiefs scoring defense is ranked in the bottom 5, allowing 27.1 PPG. Their pass defense is ranked dead last, allowing 282.5 yards per game and 27 TDs through the air, while their pass rush is ranked 2nd with 46 sacks. Their run defense is ranked in the bottom 10, allowing 126.9 yards per game and 17 TDs on the ground. The Chiefs defense has forced 23 turnovers, and they own a +8 turnover differential.
CB Kendall Fuller (thumb) – questionable
WR Sammy Watkins (foot) – questionable
OT Mitchell Schwartz (knee) – questionable
The Seahawks offense is old school in the way they attack primarily on the ground with some shots from Russell Wilson mixed in. Wilson has thrown for 3025 yards, 31 TDs, and 6 INTs while completing 66.3% of his passes and averaging 8 YPA. Tyler Lockett has really broken out this year, catching 51 balls for 800 yards and 9 TDs. Doug Baldwin (41/465/4) and David Moore (23/422/5) provide ancillary production. The ground attack is led by Chris Carson, who has 913 yards and 6 TDs on 201 carries, while Mike Davis (98 att/439 yds/3 TDs), Rashaad Penny (81/413/2), and Russell Wilson (57 carries for 321 yards) are heavily involved as well.
The Seahawks scoring defense is ranked in the top 10, allowing 20.9 PPG. Their pass defense is ranked below average, allowing 247.4 yards per game and 22 TDs through the air, while their pass rush is ranked middle of the pack with 36 sacks. Their run defense is ranked middle of the pack, allowing 112.3 yards per game and 9 TDs on the ground. The Seahawks defense has forced 22 turnovers, and own a +12 turnover differential.
S Bradley McDougald (knee) – doubtful
EDGE Frank Clark (elbow) – questionable
LB K.J. Wright (knee) – questionable
The Chiefs offense has been unstoppable for the most part, but the Seahawks have the necessary formula to slow them down. Bobby Wagner has been an absolute stud patrolling the middle of the field, and will go a long way in slowing down Travis Kelce. Tyreek Hill will inevitably bust a long catch and run or catch a bomb or 2 but up front the Seahawks have the ability to create pressure with their front 4, allowing them to drop 7 into coverage.
The Seahawks offense is really a nightmare for the Chiefs, much like Baltimore was. Their downhill ground and pound attack wears out defenses, and the Chiefs lack the tenacity up front to slow them down. Their style of play is also ideal against a high powered offense like the Chiefs due to their ability to drain the clock and keep the ball out of Pat Mahomes hands. The Seahawks are going to be playing pissed off after that loss last week, and they have the recipe needed to beat Kansas City, so this is really a nightmare scenario for the Chiefs.
Final Pick: Seahawks (+3)
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