The Kansas City Chiefs (10-4) have already locked up the AFC West for the fourth straight season. The Chiefs were one of the first teams to lock up a playoff spot as no other team in their division will finish with a record above .500, but these Chiefs are looking for something more. They know the value of home field advantage, and they have a chance to grab the No. 2 seed in the AFC if they finish tied with the New England Patriots.
That’s why they are almost a touchdown favorite per the NFL betting odds in Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears (7-7) on "Sunday Night Football." Chicago was eliminated from postseason contention last week with a loss to Green Bay, and the Bears have been one of the most underwhelming teams in the NFL this season. They have defeated just one team with a winning record (Minnesota), and this offense has scored more than 30 points just twice all year.
Here's everything to know about betting on Bears vs. Chiefs in Week 16, including updated odds, trends and our prediction for "Sunday Night Football."
MORE: Get the latest NFL odds & betting trends at Sports Insider
Chiefs vs. Bears odds for 'Sunday Night Football'
- Kansas City Chiefs -6 at Chicago Bears, O/U 44.5
Money has poured in on Kansas City since this line opened last Sunday evening. Kansas City was initially favored by 4.5 points on the NFL betting line, but that number has slowly climbed over the course of the week.
The total opened at 45 and fell to 43.5 in the middle of the week before rising to 44.5 when it became clear that weather would not be an issue in the Windy City.
Chiefs vs. Bears all-time series
These two teams have only met 12 times in their history, and Chicago leads the all-time series 7-5. The Bears and Chiefs have alternated wins for the last 32 years though, and that favors the Chiefs since the Bears won the last time these teams met.
Three trends to know
— Kansas City is the most popular pick of the week with 74 percent of bettors in this game backing the Chiefs.
— The Chiefs are 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 road games.
— Chicago is 12-3-1 ATS in its last 16 games as an underdog at home.
Three things to watch
Can Kansas City run the ball?
Chicago has the fourth-best run defense in the NFL. The Bears are conceding just 3.8 YPC, and that does not bode well for a Chiefs offense that has struggled to run the ball in 2019. LeSean McCoy has been Kansas City’s best option, averaging 4.6 YPC, but Damien Williams and Darrel Williams have struggled to move the chains. Fumbling has been a major problem too with Kansas City’s top four rushers combining to fumble the ball five times on 259 carries.
Trubisky’s troubles
Mitch Trubisky has had an awful season. He has been very turnover prone over the last month, throwing seven interceptions over Chicago’s last five games, and his accuracy issues have led to the Bears being ranked in the bottom ten in most offensive categories. Trubisky has fared particularly poorly against teams with winning records, and he has been brutal in close games with five touchdowns and six interceptions in one-score losses in 2019.
T Sizzle
Kansas City claimed Terrell Suggs off waivers this week, and T Sizzle is expected to play immediately alongside Frank Clark. The future Hall of Famer is familiar with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme, so he will look to make an impact against the Bears. Suggs only played nine games with Arizona before being released, but he forced four fumbles and registered 5.5 sacks.
Player to watch
The Chiefs have won four in a row, but Patrick Mahomes hasn’t been spectacular in those wins outside what we saw last week against Denver. Mahomes posted rather pedestrian numbers against Oakland and the Los Angeles Chargers, and he has uncharacteristically tossed three interceptions in his last four games. He threw just one pick in his first eight games, and that’s the version of Mahomes that Kansas City needs on Sunday.
Chiefs vs. Bears prediction
Chicago is going to put up a fight in its last home game of the season. The Bears have won three straight games at home, and they will put a fright into the Chiefs before some late Mahomes magic gives Kansas City the win.
Chiefs 27, Bears 23