Kansas City Chiefs vs. Seattle Seahawks Prediction & Top Bets (August 15, 2025)
It’s football season (ok, it’s preseason, but it still counts), and week two sees the Kansas City Chiefs playing the Seattle Seahawks under the Friday night lights at Lumen Field in Seattle.
The first week, the Chiefs lost to the Arizona Cardinals, but Kansas City’s emerging players? They had a strong outing that hinted at the impact they could have once the regular season kicks off.
Seattle tied 23-23 with the Raiders in their first preseason game, so it’s not a loss, but it’s not a win, either.
Could this game show us if Sam Darnold, the new starting QB for the Seahawks, is worth the $100.5 million contract? Is Patrick Mahomes gonna play for more than a minute in this game?
Maybe both of these questions will be answered by the end of this game! In the meantime, we’ve got all you need to know in our preview: betting odds, angles, storylines we’re watching, rosters, who’s injured, and our picks for the best bets!
Game Details & Context Overview
- Matchup: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Game Details: Friday, August 15, at 10:00 pm ET
- Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
- How To Watch: NFL Network / NFL Net
- Preseason Stakes: Both teams want to get some preseason traction and see how their players do; they’ll also use the game to iron out bubble and roster choices
Live Betting Odds Snapshot
Are you ready to bet on some football? If so, here are the latest odds and lines posted on ESPN BET:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Chiefs | +3 (-115) | +130 | Over 39.5 (-110) |
Seahawks | -3 (-105) | -150 | Under 39.5 (-110) |
Storylines & Betting Angles
Both teams treated their preseason openers like they were auditions for the final roster. Andy Reid put in Mahomes for a minute before turning it over to the backups. The Seahawks’ QB Sam Darnold will probably get another short stint before the backups take over.
QB Rotation & Evaluation Mode
- Like we said, there’ll probably be another cameo by Mahomes to start the game, and then the backups like Gardner Minshew or Bailey Zappe will take over. However, there is now talk that Andy Reid may not have Mahomes play at all. This is something to keep an eye on.
- Seattle is likely to follow the same playbook: Darnold starts, followed by Drew Lock or Jalen Milroe.
- Preseason games feature safe schemes to preserve depth cards for the regular season.
Rising Stars & Roster Battles
- George Holani (61 rush yds, 1 TD) and Tory Horton (3 rec, TD) delivered in Week 1 and are early favorites for the regular roster roles.
- Seattle is getting fresh looks in new offensive roles; rookie fullback Robbie Ouzts is getting a lot of attention, and Horton is emerging as a standout.
- KC’s camp buzz spotlights Brashard Smith outperforming Elijah Mitchell, and competition is heating up among CBs like Joshua Williams.
Head-to-Head & Preseason Trends
- Seattle is 6–1 straight up at home against Kansas City in recent matchups.
- Preseason game totals at Seattle have gone under in 10 of the last 15, and KC is 2–5 ATS over its past seven preseason games.
Weather / Venue Effects
- Forecast for August 15 in Seattle: Daytime highs near the mid‑70s, with light winds from WNW at 5–10 mph; no rain is expected.
- Good weather conditions at Lumen Field should not affect passing or kicking, but mid‑range decision-making may still favor ground or controlled plays.
Roster & Injury Watch
Who’s playing and who’s on the injured list?
Chiefs: Questionable & Hurt
- Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (WR – ankle/foot): Brown’s been out since July 29 with an ankle/foot injury, but has started running in rehab. Andy Reid says he’s “close” to a full return, though he’s unlikely to suit up for the second preseason game.
- Jaylen Watson (CB – concussion): Watson is in concussion protocol following a hit in the preseason opener. He’s officially listed as questionable.
- Rashee Rice (WR – groin): Rice missed practice with a groin injury but returned to the field recently. He’s also marked as questionable.
- Janarius Robinson (DE – fractured foot): Robinson was sidelined due to a fractured foot suffered in practice. The Chiefs signed DE Nate Matlack in response.
Seahawks: Questionable & Roster Adjustments
- Tyrice Knight (LB – knee + medical issue): Knight is expected to sit out for a few weeks. To cover, Seattle added Alphonzo Tuputala, who’s a local UDFA.
- Steven Sims (WR/PR – hamstring unspecified): Sims is listed as questionable with a hamstring issue. Details are scarce, but his return role could be impacted.
- Olu Oluwatimi (C – back tightness): Dealing with back tightness, Oluwatimi is questionable, although he’s expected to remain day‑by‑day, and the coach indicated that it’s not a serious injury.
Our Best Bets
Where do we see the value for this preseason game? We’re eyeing up three angles and a decent prop!
Over 39.5 – Recommendation: OVER 39.5 (-110)
Our Confidence Level: Moderate–High
Why Do We Like It?
When the top defenders head to the sideline, coverage breakdowns and missed tackles happen, just like it did for both squads in Week 1 once the rotations got deep. Kansas City and Seattle each have enough capable arms and skilled players in the backup ranks to keep the scoreboard moving, even without complicated playbooks.
Spread – Recommendation: Chiefs +3 (-115)
Our Confidence Level: Medium
Why Do We Like It?
Kansas City’s reserve quarterbacks and receivers executed more cleanly in their opener and in camp work. Against Seattle’s simplified defensive looks, that should translate to a small but tangible edge to cover a short spread.
Moneyline – Recommendation: Chiefs (+130)
Our Confidence Level: Low–Medium
Why Do We Like It?
If the Chiefs make the most of their limited starter reps and avoid turnovers with the backups? The straight-up route is a reasonable way to back them without worrying about a narrow margin
Alternate Spread / Prop Angle
For a high-risk, high-reward option, an alt line like Chiefs –14.5 at +485 hinges on the reserves pulling away late. It’s not a primary play, but it’s the kind of preseason change that’s worth a small stake if you think one side’s depth will take over!
Why These Picks Work
- OVER 39.5: Simplified defensive schemes plus deeper rotations can lead to second-half scoring surges, which is a familiar preseason pattern.
- Chiefs +3: Kansas City’s structure and QB depth give them an advantage in limited starter reps; Seattle is without some key offensive pieces like Metcalf and Lockett, and that affects timing and continuity.
- Bonus Angle: For bigger payouts, an alternate spread like the Chiefs –14.5 at +485 is high variance, but it’s worth a small play if you expect the backups to pull away in the final quarter.
What This Game Means for Week 2
Kansas City’s first group is positioned to put points on the board in its initial series before turning things over to a backup unit that’s proven it can sustain scoring drives. Seattle’s reserves have some upside, but their offensive timing has been less consistent, which could make it difficult to close the margin once the second quarter is underway.
Best Bets Recap
- OVER 39.5: Confidence: Moderate–High
- Chiefs +3: Confidence: Medium
- Chiefs ML: Confidence: Low–Medium
- Alternate Spread: Chiefs –14.5 (+485): Confidence: Speculative / Small stake only
Why We’re Confident
Kansas City’s reserve QBs have shown they can finish drives against second-string defenses, and their skill depth has been winning one-on-one matchups in camp. Seattle is sitting core receivers, which makes their passing game more predictable once rotations kick in. The combination points toward KC having the better scoring chances across all four quarters.
Cautionary Note
Preseason games turn on things you can’t always handicap, like a busted coverage, a fourth-quarter punt return, or a sudden change in who’s under center. Treat the plays as part of a limited preseason portfolio, not a full-unit investment!
Don’t forget to check the updated odds or live betting markets before kickoff, and you can do that at one of our recommended online betting sites.
Final Score Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs 24 – Seattle Seahawks 20
We’re going with the Chiefs for this one! KC’s starters will get a lead early, and the backups will hold off Seattle if they make a late push.
