Kansas City @ Seattle preview
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Last Meeting ( Aug 25, 2017 ) Kansas City 13, Seattle 26
The stakes will be high when the Seattle Seahawks host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night with major playoff seeding implications on the line. The Chiefs are trying to lock up the AFC West title and a first-round bye, while the Seahawks can clinch a postseason berth with a win and a loss by either Washington or Minnesota.
Both teams are looking to bounce back from disappointing losses that raised the stakes this week. The Chiefs appeared poised to clinch the division crown last week before the Los Angeles Chargers rallied from a 28-14 deficit in the final four minutes to post a 29-28 victory. The Seahawks suffered a stunning 26-23 overtime loss at San Francisco to snap their four-game winning streak and create pressure to win at least one of their final two games. The Chiefs have captured the last three meetings between the former division rivals, but they haven’t squared off since 2014 in Kansas City.
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Chiefs -2.5. O/U: 54.5
ABOUT THE CHIEFS (11-3): Kansas City’s offense leads the league in total yards and scoring behind MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes, who tops the NFL in passing yards (4,543) and passing touchdowns (45). Mahomes has two reliable weapons in speedster Tyreek Hill (1,304 receiving yards, 11 touchdowns) and tight end Travis Kelce (1,220, 10). The defense has struggled all season - especially against the pass - but did get a bit of a boost from the return of safety Eric Berry, who recorded six tackles last week in his first action since the 2017 season opener.
ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (8-6): All six of Seattle’s losses have come by eight points or fewer, which is why a team that ranks ninth in the NFL in scoring offense and seventh in scoring defense is fighting to make the playoffs. Chris Carson, who rushed for a career-high 119 yards and a touchdown last week, leads the league’s top ground game, but Russell Wilson quietly has put together a great season with 3,025 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and six interceptions. Seattle’s once-dominant defense has been decimated by injuries but has forced 22 turnovers - but only six in the last seven games.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Chiefs DL Chris Jones has recorded a sack in an NFL single-season record 10 consecutive games.
2. Wilson has thrown 13 touchdown passes and two interceptions in six home contests.
3. Kelce has caught a pass in 77 consecutive games.
PREDICTION: Chiefs 31, Seahawks 27