NFL PLAYOFF ODDS PREVIEW – KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT HOUSTON TEXANS 1/9

The Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans had to rebound from horrific starts this season, but both of them are safe and sound into the playoffs. Houston captured the championship in the AFC South division, while Kansas City made a furious run at the AFC West title, but fell short. They will get things underway on Saturday at 4:35 PM ET in a first-round playoff matchup. Even after the opening kickoff, BetAnySports customers can avail themselves of continued wagering through the magic of Live Betting Extra, which enables them to test their skill against the NFL playoff odds in real time.

Houston lost four of its first five games, and one of those was in the season opener against Kansas City. The Chiefs got off to an early 21-point lead and emerged with a 27-20 victory at NRG Stadium, which is where this game is being held. Alex Smith had three touchdown passes and Brian Hoyer, who started the game at quarterback for the Texans, was yanked.

Since then a lot has happened, especially with the Houston quarterback situation. They used Ryan Mallett for a while, then he was cut, and Hoyer is now the starter, and someone they have confidence in. His numbers were somewhat modest – throwing for 2357 yards and 18 touchdowns – but he only had six interceptions and was a key figure in the 7-2 run over the last nine games that brought a division title to second-year coach Bill “F-Bomb” O’Brien.

Kansas City got off to an even worse start, losing five games in a row after the victory in Houston. And there were also handicapped by the loss of Jamaal Charles out of the backfield. But they rebounded in amazing fashion. Kansas City has won ten games in a row, with Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware spearheading a running game that has averaged 136 yards per contest since Charles went down.

In the NFL playoff odds, with reduced juice, that have been posted at BetAnySports on this game, the Chiefs are laying a field goal on the road:

Kansas City Chiefs -3 (-112)

Houston Texans +3 (-102)

Over 40 points -105

Under 40 points -105

Coach Andy Reid explains that he gave Smith a lot of freedom at the line of scrimmage to change plays, something that he was not used to doing with his previous quarterbacks, and that it paid off. Smith exercised good judgment, to the extent that he had a stretch where he threw 312 passes without an interception, and he also had 496 yards on the ground, which was not an insignificant factor.

During the 10-game winning streak, Kansas City admittedly did not defeat a bunch of world beaters. True, they had victories over the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos, but Pittsburgh was using Landry Jones at quarterback and Denver’s Brock Osweiler had to step in for Peyton Manning, who had been intercepted four times and was playing with a bad foot.

BetAnySports patrons should understand that Houston got to a low point in a 44-26 loss to the Miami Dolphins, in which they were down 41-0 at halftime. Then they had their turnaround, surrendering 17 points or less in seven of the next nine games. As of this moment, they have gone nine quarters of football without allowing a touchdown on the part of the opposition. And of course, there is the menacing presence of JJ Watt at the defensive end spot. He now has the cast off his hand, which should make him more effective, and he has 17.5 sacks, which might be bad news for Smith, who has been sacked 45 times on the season.

Can Houston generate a running game? This was in doubt when Arian Foster went down with a season-ending injury, and neither Chris Polk nor Alfred Blue have glittering statistics. But the Texans have done pretty well lately, averaging 137 yards over their last six games, so maybe Hoyer, who will not have the services of Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown, might at least benefit from that kind of protection.

BetAnySports has the answers for those of you who are looking for some excitement in this NFL playoff season. Reduced juice wagering is one of the key factors, along with the ability to place live in-game wagers through Live Betting…… As always, creative payment options are available, including your Visa card, person-to-person transfers and the virtual currency of Bitcoin!