Behind the Bills-Chiefs and Cowboys-Eagles opening lines

Patrick Mahomes begins the week in new territory: a home underdog for the first time in his career.

On Sunday afternoon, sportsbooks installed Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs as 2.5-point underdogs to the visiting Buffalo Bills in a Week 6 showdown that's expected to attract massive betting interest. If the line holds — it was dropping Sunday night — Mahomes will be a home underdog for the first time in his career.

Last week, sportsbook operator the SuperBook made the game a pick 'em. John Murray, executive director of the SuperBook, said the pick 'em line reflected the Bills being perceived as the better team while crediting the Chiefs for the impressive win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and factoring in some home-field advantage. But on Sunday, when the SuperBook reposted the line, Murray said they felt obligated to make the Bills the favorites.

«After seeing what the Bills did to the Steelers today [38-3 win], we knew we had to reopen the game with Buffalo favored,» Murray said. «We took a few bets on Chiefs +2.5 but are leaving it there for now.»

The line had dipped to Buffalo -2 at most sportsbooks Sunday night. The Chiefs host the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football.

Kansas City beat Buffalo 42-36 in an epic overtime thriller at Arrowhead Stadium in last season's playoffs. The game featured three lead changes in the final two minutes, with the Chiefs getting into field goal range on a three-play drive that lasted just seven seconds to force overtime with a field goal.

Murray anticipates betting support for both teams and a lot of money on the over, which opened at 54.

«Buffalo is such a complete team on both sides of the ball and very well coached,» Murray added. «The Super Bowl is theirs to lose this