Dolphins vs. Chiefs: Preview, score prediction for Week 16

Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Fortunately for the Kansas City Chiefs, they know how to beat the teams within their own division. Andy Reid’s first-place club is 4-1 vs. AFC West foes and a very-surprising 4-5 vs. the rest of the league. Now they head into Week 16 with a matchup against the AFC East’s Miami Dolphins.

Given how they performed last week in a must-win against the Chargers, things are looking up for the Chiefs. With that said, the Dolphins have been hard to peg throughout most of the season. Thus, it’s hard to know or even prognosticate as to what kind of challenge they’ll provide in Week 16.

So how will the defending division champion Chiefs fare against the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium?

Keys to Victory

When you have a defensive unit that is allowing the fifth-most total yards in the NFL, as is the case with the Chiefs, you better get some takeaways. And that’s been the story of the 2017 edition of this squad.

In eight wins this season, Kansas City has forced an impressive 19 turnovers. In six setbacks, the club has only two takeaways. The sloppy Dolphins have coughed up the football 26 times in 14 outings this year and could play right into the Chiefs’ opportunistic hands.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Chiefs (-10)
Moneyline: Dolphins -125, Chiefs +105
Over/Under: 43

Prediction

So which version of the Miami Dolphins will we see on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium? Yes, the Kansas City Chiefs haven’t been the same team since that 5-0 start but their issues have been very evident. Reid’s defense has relied on takeaways this season and when they haven’t been able to force turnovers it has not turned out well.

More nfl spin zone: NFL 2017: 20 Bold predictions for Week 16

On the other hand, we have seen the Dolphins stink up the place on more than one occasion and then turn around and knock off the defending Super Bowl champions. Still, the Chiefs can finally wrap up the AFC West with a win here and won’t squander the opportunity.

Final Score: Kansas City Chiefs: 26, Miami Dolphins: 17