Chiefs fans split down the middle on AFC West title chances in Week 10 Reacts poll

Chiefs fans feel better about their team than they did a week ago. They are much less sure the team can win the division. The latest SB Nation Reacts survey, published by SB Nation and Arrowhead Pride, found confidence in the direction of the franchise up 22% from the previous week's poll. Kansas City fans were split roughly evenly on whether the Chiefs can still win the AFC West.

The jump in confidence follows the 35-12 win over the New York Jets at Arrowhead, which came after back-to-back road losses at Seattle and Denver. The division question is harder. Denver took over first place in the AFC West with a 28-24 win over Kansas City on Nov. 1, The Gazette reported. In the Arrowhead Pride writeup, Rocky Magaña pointed out that the Broncos' next five games are against modest opposition: two against Las Vegas plus the Jets, Pittsburgh and Miami. He saw Pittsburgh as the one opponent likely to test Denver. He also said that an even split "feels about right" for Kansas City's title hopes.

The roster changed this week too. The Chiefs traded with Indianapolis for wide receiver Josh Downs, and Yahoo Sports noted that he will likely make his debut on Sunday. Kansas City has lacked a deep threat since Tyquan Thornton dislocated his ankle in Week 4. Downs, who has 32 career punt returns, could also help fill the return job left open when the team released Nikko Remigio to make room for him.

What it means for Atlanta

At 6-2, the Chiefs have won six of their eight games. Both losses came in their last three, and both were on the road. They have won all four games against AFC opponents outside Denver, and they split two games with the Broncos: a 31-10 win at home and the four-point loss in Denver. The defense has held three of the last five opponents to 12 points or fewer. The Seattle loss, when the Chiefs scored only 3 points, is the outlier on offense.

Sunday's trip to Atlanta is the next chance to keep pace while Denver works through its softer stretch. The Falcons are 3-6 and play one more game before their bye.

The board for Chiefs at Falcons lists 12 venues, and Kansas City is favored. On the moneyline, Novig has the Chiefs at -167 and the Falcons at +163. Novig's spread is Chiefs -3.5 at +117. The best Chiefs spread price anywhere is Pinnacle's -3 at -111. That puts the line between a field goal and a field goal plus a hook, depending on the venue. The total sits at 47.5 on Novig, with the over at -100. BetMGM's 47 at -112 is the best over price on the board. Sportsbook hold runs from 2.9% to 4.5% on the moneyline and from 3.1% to 5.5% on the spread, so the venues are close but not identical.

The market rates Kansas City well ahead of Atlanta. The fans are less sure the Chiefs can catch Denver, and a win in Atlanta would only partly answer that question.