Vegas Play of the Day: Chiefs at Patriots

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017 | 10:23 a.m.

We’re entering the fourth season of the annual South Point-lined Play of the Day competition, effective July 1.

Starting bankrolls have reset to $10,000, with the maximum bet being to win $1,000 and the minimum wager $300. Ray Brewer won back-to-back titles in the 2015-2016 and 2016-17 seasons, after Taylor Bern prevailed in 2014-2015.

Kansas City Chiefs plus-9 at New England Patriots, $550 to win $500: There’s an unwritten rule in handicapping when it comes to betting games involving the defending Super Bowl champions: Wager the other side. With an offseason of celebrating and appearances, and the feeling of being content, many Super Bowl champions struggle in the following season.

Ok, I get it. This isn’t the first time the Patriots, this generation’s dynasty, have been the defending Super Bowl champions. Their core players understand how to turn the page from one successful season to the next.

But the Chiefs are also a quality team. They have a veteran head coach and quarterback. While Alex Smith isn’t flashy, he also does a great job of protecting the football. The Chiefs will be able to run the football, because the Chiefs always run the football. And when you run the football, you control the clock and keep Tom Brady off the field.

Remember, the Patriots defense isn’t exactly a strength. They looked awful the last time we saw them, giving up five quick touchdowns to the Falcons in the Super Bowl. Nine points is a lot to work with — just enough to give Chiefs backers an opening-night win and parlay money for the weekend.

Current Standings: Granger (6-6, $11,595), Keefer (7-4-1, $11,185), Grimala (2-3, $9,495), Brewer (6-7, $8,660)

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21