The uncertainty caused by the injury sustained by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes last week against the Cleveland Browns is making a significant impact on the betting odds for the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. The reigning Super Bowl Champions are currently listed with a line of -3 while the Buffalo Bills possess a +3.
With Mahomes' playing status against the Bills remains to be up in the air as of the moment, the -3 line of the Chiefs could potentially change in the coming days leading up to the game.
“You have got to get a game like that up and let people bet it,” DraftKings sportsbook director John Avello said via the New York Post. “It is a tough number. I think Mahomes is going to play, and I think it’s going up to six. If you want to make a bet and speculate, you can lay the three knowing that will go a little higher if he does play.”
Mahomes must first clear concussion protocols before he is allowed to suit up for the all-important game. In the event that he will be totally ruled out of the contest, backup playmaker Chad Henne will be the starting quarterback against the Bills. In this case, Josh Allen and his Buffalo team might potentially gain a -3 line or even stretch it to -7 as favorites.
“If Mahomes is fine and fully healthy, it’s Chiefs -3.5 or 4,” Westgate SuperBook director John Murray said. “If he’s not playing, Buffalo could be about a 7-point favorite. The betting public loves the Bills.”
The impact of Patrick Mahomes' presence in the game goes beyond the field as indicated in the uncertainty of betting lines. The coming days will certainly be an excruciating wait as Chiefs Kingdom continue to hope that the 2018 NFL MVP will be able to suit up against the Bills on Jan. 24.