UPDATE: We don’t know Patrick Mahomes’ status for the AFC Championship Game, but the line has already swung from Bills -1.5 to Chiefs -2 in a few minutes since opening.
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to host the AFC Championship Game for the third time in a row after topping the Cleveland Browns 22-17 on Sunday in the Divisional Round. Their next opponent will be the Buffalo Bills who beat the Baltimore Ravens 17-3 on Saturday. The reigning champs’ quarterback — Patrick Mahomes — went down with a concussion in the third quarter and was replaced by Chad Henne down the stretch. Mahomes’ status for the AFC title game will have a significant effect on the odds.
Here’s a look at the opening odds of this matchup between the Bills and Chiefs in the AFC Championship game in the 2021 NFL Playoffs. Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Bills vs. Chiefs
Point spread: Bills -1.5
Point total: 50.5
Moneyline: Bills -112, Chiefs -109
Kansas City opened as a 4-point favorite on some sportsbooks following the Mahomes injury but the Bills will have an edge while his status for next weekend is questionable. The Chiefs’ dynamic offense was significantly less effective with Henne running the show and but their defense managed to 17 points during the regular season. Josh Allen is on a roll with his healthy receiving corps but will have to prove that he can beat the Kansas City scheme that limited him to 122 passing yards earlier this year. The third round won’t be a cakewalk for Buffalo even if Mahomes is out.
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