NFL week 7 odds, betting lines: Raiders somehow only 3-point underdogs to Chiefs Thursday night

Sometimes I really wonder about how Vegas gets their betting odds. The Raiders are 2-4 on the season, losers of 4-straight, having not broken 17 points over that time. They are facing the 5-1 division leading Chiefs — a team they haven’t beaten since 2014. That would figure to be a recipe for a blowout.

Yet somehow betting lines across the board have the Chiefs favored by just 3 points. The Raiders have only been within 3 points once in their last four games. That was Sunday against the Chargers who two weeks ago were still winless on the season.

The Raiders’ average margin of defeat has been 9.25 points the past four weeks. Their two wins to start the season are a distant memory now and don’t seem to represent this team at all.

Meanwhile it’s clear to see how the Chiefs got their 5-1 record. Alex Smith’s 12 TD and zero interceptions along with rookie running back Kareem Hunt’s NFL leading 630 rushing yards and 6 total TD’s are plenty proof. That offense is unstoppable, scoring the second most points (177) in the NFL this season.

Winning by more than three points seems inevitable.