The Kansas City Chiefs will be underdogs for the first time this season in Week 7. The opposing San Francisco 49ers are the current betting favorites for Sunday’s Super Bowl rematch. Despite their 5-0 start, oddsmakers are doubting the Chiefs’ chances against the 3-3 49ers.
Throughout his career, Patrick Mahomes has thrived in games as an underdog. Sunday’s contest gives the superstar quarterback a chance to add to one of the NFL’s most impressive stat lines.
What is Patrick Mahomes’ Record as an Underdog?
Patrick Mahomes has a career 10-3 record as an underdog. This includes a 4-0 record in the postseason. In fact, the Chiefs won two playoff games and the Super Bowl as underdogs during last year’s championship run.
Two of Mahomes’ 3 losses as an underdog were during his first season as a starter. After three straight underdog wins to begin his career, Mahomes finally lost to Tom Brady in his final year with the New England Patriots. Later that season, the Chiefs lost to the favored Los Angeles Rams in a legendary Monday Night shootout.
Since then, Mahomes and the Chiefs have won 7 of the last eight games where they weren’t favored. The one loss came during the 2022 regular season against the Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs are looking to win their fifth straight game as the underdog, dating back to Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Why are the 49ers Favored Against the Chiefs?
The Chiefs are 5-0 this season with quality wins over the Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, and Los Angeles Chargers. However, many are still unimpressed with the team’s inconsistent and, at times, sloppy play. Until last week’s 26-13 win over the New Orleans Saints, every Chiefs victory had been by one possession.
Similar to last season, the Chiefs’ offense is struggling to score points. Injuries to starting running back Isiah Pacheco and #1 receiver Rashee Rice have made this a more glaring issue. In many instances, the team has to rely heavily on its defense to secure wins.
San Francisco has a clear edge in offensive firepower over the Chiefs. The 49ers are scoring 27 points per game on the season and are 2nd in the NFL in yards per game. Due to their struggles on offense, the Chiefs find themselves as underdogs for the first time since Super Bowl LVIII – also against the 49ers.
How Can Mahomes Improve to 11-3 as an Underdog?
Patrick Mahomes will need more than the usual magic to beat the 49ers on Sunday. The support of his defense will likely decide if he improves to 11-3 or drops to 10-4 as an underdog. The injury-riddled Chiefs can’t beat the 49ers in a shootout, so they’ll need an elite defensive performance to keep the game low-scoring.
There is a lot to like about the favored 49ers going into Sunday’s game. They’re coming off a dominant win over the Seattle Seahawks and will have 10 days rest after playing last Thursday. The 49ers will also be out for revenge against the Chiefs in front of their home crowd. However, Patrick Mahomes has proven to be unfazed when given underdog status.
Mahomes and the Chiefs will look to improve to 6-0 on the season against the 49ers on Sunday afternoon.
Main Image: Jay Biggerstaff – USA Today Sports
