In the high-octane world of NFL football, where every play is critical and every game is a strategic battle, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has turned the art of bye-week preparation into a science.
The Bye Week Phenomenon
The concept of the bye often brings mixed reactions for NFL teams. For some, it's a much needed break, like the New York Giants boat trip. The Giants are 34-76-1 SU since that trip, by the way. For others, the week off can disrupt momentum.
Big Red is arguably the greatest bye week tactician in NFL history. Reid's record following a bye week is phenomenal. In his illustrious 24-year career as an NFL head coach, Reid's teams have gone an astonishing 31-6 SU and, crucially, 23-14 ATS including the playoffs. The former BYU offensive tackle's record is not only a testament to his coaching prowess, but also his unique ability to galvanize his team with extra time.
Incredibly, Reid has attributed his teams' approach to the simple self-scout and rest and recovery method used by every NFL team. However, his commitment to identifying both his teams' strengths and weaknesses appear to be second to none.
Mic’d Up: #Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill shared a special moment with #Chiefs HC Andy Reid and QB Patrick Mahomes last week❤️
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) November 9, 2023
Tyreek to Coach Reid: “I just wanted to say thank you for everything, Coach. Love you.”
To Mahomes: “Hey one-five! You know I love you too, boy!… pic.twitter.com/jWSqQA3Nyp
Moreover, Reid's success can also be attributed to his skill in managing players' physical and mental well-being. He's stressed numerous times the emphasis Kansas City puts on balance and rest during the bye, ensuring his team returns to the field rejuvenated and sharp.
Reid's bye week brilliance is also a reflection of his adaptability. Cheeseburger Andy is the architect of one of the NFL's most innovative offenses. He's long been celebrated for his ability to blend offensive elements like ingredients into one culinary masterpiece. Reid snatches concepts like cornpuffs from college, high school, and even the Canadian Football League, introducing them to the NFL in a way that consistently keeps the Chiefs ahead of the curve.
Reid's modernized spread offense is richly woven from his experiences in Philadelphia and Green Bay, with modern twists that keep opponents guessing. Under his guidance, the Chiefs offense has become the staple for efficiency and creativity in the NFL.
Reid's Regular Season Mastery
Big Red's numbers are even more impressive when focusing on regular-season games. His record jumps to an astounding 21-3 following regular-season byes. In the Patrick Mahomes era, the Chiefs have dominated with a week off, going 5-0 SU, and outscoring their opponents 157-99. Remarkably, when Andy Reid's teams have had 13-plus days of rest and the opponent has had 8 or fewer days of rest, Reid is a terrific 27-3 SU.
While Reid's overall ATS record as a coach is just 186-170-6 (51.3%), that number also sees an uptick with the NFL MVP favorite leading the offense. In the past five-plus seasons including 2023, the Chiefs have gone 54-44-4 ATS (52.9%). Keep in mind, the Super Bowl champions are heavily scrutinized by the books and see every opposing teams' best effort week in and week out as they pursue greatness.
Betting on Andy's Chiefs
When looking at futures betting, Kansas City sits at +290 to have the NFL's best regular season record. With the Eagles the only squad ahead of them, anything with the Chiefs name beside it, at plus money, is a value bet. Also, with their 23rd-rated remaining strength of schedule, Reid's squad is a great bet to hit the over 12.5 win total mark at -110 odds. That being said, Big Red and the Chiefs to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles at +500 is an appealing idea.
Andy Reid has the most wins in Eagles history with 130.
— 🗣🎙‼️ (@LanceTHESPOKEN) November 9, 2023
He's tied with Hank Stram for most wins in Chiefs history with 124.
He could become the first coach in NFL history to own the wins record for multiple franchises and he could do it by beating the Eagles.
Poetry in motion. pic.twitter.com/ni4kuBKRbR
Following their win against the Miami Dolphins in Germany, Kansas City will have had over 14 days of much needed rest and recuperation. The case for betting on the Chiefs mounts when taking into account the insane trends leading up to Monday Night Football.
Crucially, the Chiefs are 2.5-point favorites against Reid's former team, the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. Big Red is a perfect 4-0 when facing off with his former club. Additionally, since Patrick Mahomes took over as the Kansas City starting quarterback, when the Chiefs are 3-point favorites or lower, they are an impressive 15-4-1 ATS.
As the NFL continues to evolve at warp speed, Andy Reid's reputation as a master of the bye week is cemented in the annals of football (and sports betting) history. When it comes to betting on games following a bye, few coaches offer a more compelling case than Andy Reid. In a sport where the margins between victory and defeat are razor-thin, Reid's mastery of the bye week is an invaluable asset.
