New York Jets

Jets at Chiefs: Game preview, odds, prediction

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

In a matchup of two possible AFC playoff teams, the New York Jets will head to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

During Week 1 of the 2016 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Diego Chargers, while the New York Jets lost to the Cincinnati Bengals. In Week 2, the roles were reversed, as the Chiefs fell to the Houston Texans, and the Jets beat the Buffalo Bills. With both teams at 1-1, the two will battle it out at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, in a matchup of possible playoff teams.

Arrowhead Stadium is arguably the hardest place to play in the NFL, as the Chiefs have one of the loudest fan bases around. The Jets, however, are coming off a win on Thursday Night Football, and will have had ten days to prepare. They have a veteran cast of players on offense, and should be able to move the ball against the Chiefs.

Ryan Fitzpatrick signed with the team just before the preseason, and has the luxury of having one of the best tandems in the league at wide receiver. Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are both solid wideouts, and Quincy Enunwa had done a nice job as the team’s third option. Running back Matt Forte does a little bit of everything out of the backfield, and has not looked his age during the first two games of the season.

New York also has an incredible defensive unit, led by guys like Muhammad Wilkerson and Darrelle Revis. The Jets defense flies around the field, and gets after the quarterback on every play. Kansas City’s offense is going to need all hands on deck on Sunday.

Kansas City is just as solid on the offense side, and may get star running back Jamaal Charles back in time for Sunday’s matchup. Charles has been sidelined since tearing his ACL last season, and will instantly make the Chiefs offense better upon returning. Spencer Ware played well in Charles’ absence, but you cannot replace a player of Charles’ caliber.

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith played extremely well in Week 1, before taking a step back against the Texans on Sunday. Smith needs to be able to work tight end Travis Kelce against a Jets defense that may have some holes in the middle. If Smith goes deep, expect Jeremy Maclin to have a big day against Revis, who has been burned quite a bit this season.

Odds

Line: KC (-3)

Over/Under: 43

Kansas City is very tough to beat at home, and they should get back on the winning track on Sunday. The Jets are basically playing a potential playoff contender every week to start the season, and despite having ten days to prepare, will not leave Arrowhead with a victory. Smith and company will do just enough on offense to keep Fitzpatrick off the field, and the defense should be able to keep the Jets in check at home.

Pick: Kansas City Chiefs 24 New York Jets 21