Sunday Night Football promises an exciting matchup as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Atlanta Falcons. With Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs facing uncertainty in their backfield, and the Falcons looking to dominate on the ground, the game could hinge on key individual performances. Here's a breakdown of some of the top prop bets heading into the primetime showdown.
Patrick Mahomes Over 264.5 Passing Yards
With the Chiefs' running game in flux due to the absence of Isiah Pacheco, it's expected that the team will lean heavily on Patrick Mahomes to carry the offensive load. Carson Steele, a rookie who's yet to prove himself after an underwhelming performance last week, doesn't seem poised to take on a significant role. Meanwhile, veteran Samaje Perine offers experience but lacks the explosive potential to truly ignite the run game.
This sets the stage for Mahomes to air it out. Though he struggled against the Bengals, throwing for just 151 yards, his Week 1 performance was much more promising with nearly 300 passing yards despite several drops. Mahomes tends to thrive in prime-time matchups, and with the Falcons' secondary presenting some gaps in coverage, this could be a big night for Kansas City's passing attack. Atlanta's defensive front isn't known for generating much pressure, which should give Mahomes the time he needs to find his rhythm.
Rashee Rice Over 75.5 Receiving Yards
With the Chiefs' running game hobbled, rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice has emerged as a key player in the offense. Now the team's clear No. 1 option, especially after Pacheco's injury, Rice is set for a breakout performance. In just two games, he's already accumulated over 100 receiving yards, and his matchup against the Falcons could be another opportunity to shine.
Atlanta's defense struggles against zone coverage, and Rice has been particularly effective against that type of defense. He's one of the league leaders in fantasy points per route run against zone schemes this year, making him a prime candidate for a big night. With Mahomes needing a go-to target and the Falcons' secondary offering plenty of openings, Rice could easily surpass his yardage mark on Sunday.
Bijan Robinson Over 73.5 Rushing Yards
The blueprint for beating the Chiefs is simple-control the clock and keep Mahomes off the field. For the Falcons, that responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of Bijan Robinson, their electric second-year running back. After a solid rookie season where he racked up over 900 rushing yards, Robinson is primed for another big year. He's already showing glimpses of that potential, despite being limited to 68 yards in Week 1.
In Week 2, he bounced back with a more efficient performance, rushing for 97 yards in the Falcons' win over the Eagles. Facing a Chiefs defense that has been susceptible to the run, ranking in the bottom third of the league in both rushing yards allowed and defensive rush efficiency, Robinson is in line for a productive night. Atlanta will likely focus on pounding the ball, exploiting Kansas City's weaknesses to keep the game in their control.