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Tyler Everett

By Tyler Everett

Sports Betting Editor

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All eyes will be on Arrowhead Stadium this afternoon, where the Chiefs look to A) improve to 1-1 and B) avenge their blowout loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl 59.

Kansas City struggled on several fronts in an upset loss to the Chargers in Brazil last weekend. How they respond today is by far the biggest storyline of Week 2.

The Eagles didn't exactly start their season on fire, falling behind Dallas multiple times in the first half. But they shut down the Cowboys in the second half without Jalen Carter and managed to win 24-20 despite scoring just three second-half points.

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There's no need for any more throat-clearing on this one -- let's dive right into the Eagles vs. Chiefs betting odds and how to bet this pivotal early-season matchup.

How To Watch Eagles vs. Chiefs

Eagles vs. Chiefs Betting Odds: Spread, ML

Eagles vs. Chiefs Betting News, Analysis

The Chiefs O-line was a question mark entering Super Bowl 59, but no one saw Philly dominating the line of scrimmage to the extent they did. The Eagles sacked Patrick Mahomes six times and forced him into two interceptions, one of which Cooper DeJean took to the house.

By the time the Chiefs managed to put their first scoring drive together, they were already down 34-0 and the game was effectively over.

Defensively, KC sold out to stop Saquon Barkley. Based on the box score, it "worked," as Barkley gained just 57 yards on 25 carries. But Hurts took full advantage of the Chiefs' approach, picking them apart for 221 yards and 2 touchdowns on 17-for-22 passing.

The Eagles lost several key pieces on defense this offseason. Given the losses of Milton Williams from the D-line and multiple starters in the secondary, it was hardly shocking that in the early going vs. Dallas, they looked like nothing like the unit that dominated throughout last year's playoffs.

But Philly finished strong, pitching a second-half shutout. The question today is what Hurts and Co. will see from Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's unit.

It's hard to imagine Kansas City going with the approach we saw in the Super Bowl. Will Chris Jones and the rest of the front seven be able to contain Barkley if they don't bring extra bodies into the box?

On the other side of the ball, Jalen Carter and the Philly D-line should be able to get to Mahomes after the Chargers racked up 8 QB hits last week. The Chiefs are starting rookie Josh Simmons at left tackle, and second-year left guard Kingsley Suamataia is a question mark after spending his rookie season at tackle.

While the O-line for Kansas City is certainly a potential vulnerability, the wide receiver position right now is an even bigger concern. Without Xavier Worthy (injured) or Rashee Rice (suspended), Mahomes was forced to dink and dunk vs. the Chargers. He did create a few big plays, but moving the ball looks like it's going to be a chore for this offense until Worthy and/or Rice return.

Eagles vs. Chiefs Best Player Prop Bet

AJ Brown Over 5.5 Receptions (+124 at FanDuel) -- 0.5 units

Eagles WR AJ Brown averaged 7.4 targets per game in 13 regular season games a year ago, but was only targeted once vs. Dallas last week.

There are so many mouths to feed for Philadelphia that targeting Brown and/or DeVonta Smith in player props markets is going to be hit-or-miss. That being said, Brown feels like a safe bet to get plenty of work today, even against a secondary that held him in check in the Super Bowl (3 catches on 5 targets for 43 yards and a TD).

I wouldn't call him a "lock" to have six catches today, but this is tempting at +124. For what it's worth, in 17 total games in '24 (13 regular season, four postseason), he only cashed this prop five times, but he did record at least five catches in 11 games.

Eagles vs. Chiefs Prediction, Best Bets

I don't blame anyone for overlooking the flaws on the Chiefs and taking Andy Reid, Travis Kelce and Mahomes to find a way to win this game, but I can't quite get there.

The Eagles' biggest weakness, if they have one, is in the secondary, but Kelce, Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton don't strike me as good enough to exploit the Philly DBs.

So, though the opportunity to bet on Mahomes as a home 'dog is hard to resist, I'm going to take the Eagles to win a close one against a team that they bludgeoned back in February.

Best bet:

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