NFL Week 17: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs betting picks, preview

If you looked ahead at the start of this year, this Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs was sure to be one of the more anticipated matchups of the season. With Jake Browning against a slumping Chiefs team, it's a bit less so, but that only opens the door for some betting value in Week 17.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Betting Odds

Spread: Kansas City -7, Over/under: 44.5 points, Cincinnati +245 | Kansas City -305

The Bengals were blown out last week by Pittsburgh 34-11, headlined by their defense continuing to allow plenty of explosive plays. Cincinnati has been unable to stop big plays against them, and couple that with Joe Burrow out for the season, and it's truly a surprise that the Bengals are still in the playoff race at 8-7.

Then there's the Chiefs, who lost on Christmas to the Raiders, allowing two defensive touchdowns. Kansas City has now dropped three of four and four of their past six and do not look like the team we've grown accustomed to. The run defense has been a problem, and the Chiefs WRs have left a lot to be desired.

Kansas City is 7-8 ATS and 10-5 to the under, while Cincinnati is 6-7-2 ATS and 9-6 to the over.

Betting Picks for Cincinnati vs. Kansas City

Bengals +7

We sure would have preferred this to be a massive AFC game between Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes, but that doesn't mean it can't still be competitive between two playoff hopefuls.

The Chiefs have just not looked right lately, losers of four of their past six games. That includes three straight at home, which makes us think the Bengals can at least keep this one reasonably close.

The best way to attack Kansas City has been on the ground, so expect Joe Mixon and Chase Brown to see plenty of work as the Bengals push for that final AFC Wild Card spot.

Four straight meetings between these two teams (albeit with Burrow) have been decided by three points. Grab Cincy +7.