Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Kansas City Chiefs continue to close in on a playoff spot, extending their winning streak to seven games last week, which includes a 6-1 run against the spread. They hope to keep the good times rolling when they visit the injury-depleted Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Point spread: The Chiefs opened as seven-point favorites; the total was 43 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 24.0-19.0 Chiefs

Why the Chiefs can cover the spread

Kansas City runs as the hottest team in the AFC at the moment after picking up its seventh straight victory last week, a 10-3 decision over the San Diego Chargers. On a sloppy day at Arrowhead, the Chiefs took a 10-0 lead into halftime and then hung on from there, making a goal-line stand in the final seconds to preserve the win.

On the day, Kansas City outrushed the Chargers 150-44. So the Chiefs have outrushed five of their last six opponents, three of them by 100 yards or more.

KC is also 3-0 both SU and ATS in its last three road games, and at 8-5 overall, the Chiefs are tied with the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers for the two AFC wild-card spots.

Why the Ravens can cover the spread

The case for the Ravens is a little tougher to make because of all the injuries. Last week, Baltimore lost to the Seattle Seahawks 35-6, whiffing ATS as a double-digits home dog. The Ravens trailed only 14-6 at the half, but they let the Seahawks score on their first possession of the second half and faded from there.

Quarterback Jimmy Clausen, subbing for the injured Matt Schaub, who was subbing for the injured Joe Flacco, completed 23 of 40 passes for 274 yards, but he couldn't coax Baltimore into the end zone, as five incursions into Seattle territory resulted in just a pair of field goals.

A few weeks ago, the Ravens won back-to-back games and then lost to the Miami Dolphins 15-13 despite outgaining them by 156 yards. Baltimore is 2-1 ATS since losing Flacco to that knee injury.

Smart pick

Kansas City has everything to play for, while Baltimore is just playing out the string on a lost season. The key for the Chiefs has been their ability to keep the running game going after losing leading rusher Jamaal Charles. Meanwhile, the Ravens just signed cast-off quarterback Ryan Mallett, and he might see some action this weekend. Take Kansas City.

Betting trends

• The visiting team is 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in its last seven games in this matchup.
• The Ravens are 1-7-2 ATS in their last 10 games after a loss.
• The Chiefs are 1-5 ATS in their last six games against the AFC North division.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.