MNF bets: Chiefs to feast on Daniels-less Commanders
Week 8 action is capped by a meeting between the Chiefs and Commanders, which looked a lot more appealing on the calendar before Jayden Daniels was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Instead, we get Patrick Mahomes versus Marcus Mariota in what could be a one-sided affair.
We have you covered with our pick against the spread, player props, and touchdown scorers to end the week on a winning note.
π Build parlays and place bets for Monday Night Football on ESPN Bet and theScore Bet here
π Pick: Chiefs (-10.5)
The Chiefs are back to full strength on offense thanks to Rashee Rice's return. They dominated the Raiders last week, winning 31-0 at home.
Rice made an immediate impact, receiving 10 Mahomes targets for seven catches, 42 yards, and two touchdowns. He makes the Chiefs much more difficult to defend, and the Commanders won't be up to the task.
It's been a forgettable season for Washington. Daniels cannot stay on the field, and any improvements the Commanders attempted on defense don't seem to be working. They gave up 44 points to the Cowboys last week and are allowing 381.4 yards per game, the sixth most in the league.
Without Daniels, there's little hope that the Commanders' offense can keep pace with the Chiefs' attack. Mariota is a serviceable backup, but he's nowhere close to the same kind of threat as Daniels. Even with Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel back in the lineup, Mariota's limitations will hinder their explosiveness.
π Bet: Over 6.5 receptions
Rice caught seven of 10 targets in his return last week. Mahomes went straight back to his No. 1 option and should do so again in this contest. The Commanders' secondary is weak, and Rice shouldn't have any trouble getting open over the middle and with underneath routes near the line of scrimmage.
π Bet: Over 29.5 rushing yards
Mariota ran for 30 or more yards in two of his three games played this season (one of those outings coming in relief of Daniels midway through last week's meeting with the Cowboys). The Commanders should be forced to play catch-up, meaning more dropbacks and running opportunities for Mariota, especially later in the game when the Chiefs' defense sits back and gives him room.
π Bet: Over 19.5 receiving yards
Smith is the Chiefs' best receiving option out of the backfield. He's recorded 21 or more receiving yards in four straight games, none with fewer than three receptions. The seventh-round rookie has Andy Reid's and Mahomes' trust, so the opportunities should keep coming.
NFL news editor Brenden Deeg will provide touchdown scorer props all season long.
π Bet: Anytime TD (+100)
We'll take Kelce at even money against this defense all day. The veteran leads the Chiefs in receiving yards and is second in red-zone targets. Washington has surrendered the fourth-most touchdowns to opposing tight ends this season.
π Bet: Anytime TD (+400)
Let's take a swing on the Commanders in this game. Mariota, who's making his third start of the season, has 10 rushing attempts and a score on the ground already this year. Washington will likely be forced to throw a lot, so Mariota will have a ton of scramble opportunities. The Chiefs have allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks and the fourth-most rushing attempts in 2025.
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