LA Rams vs. KC Chiefs 2018: Prediction, Betting Odds, Injury News For Week 11 Monday Night Game

Two of the NFL's top teams meet in Week 11, when the Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) and Los Angeles Rams (9-1) battle in Mexico City on Monday night. Both teams boast explosive offenses, so Las Vegas casinos expect it to be a high-scoring and tight contest.

Oddsmakers give the Rams the edge in what could be a preview of Super Bowl LIII. However, Los Angeles is only favored between -1 to -2.5 points, according to OddsShark.

Though it is technically a home game for the Rams, the current plan is to play the game at the famed Estadio Azteca. However, field conditions at Azteca may not up to par, so the game could be moved to the Coliseum.

No matter the location, the matchup likely means a lot of points will be scored. The Chiefs average 35.3 points per game, good for second in the league behind the New Orleans Saints. The Rams, meanwhile, put up 33.5 points per game, which puts them in third place.

The game’s over/under of 64 points is the highest in 30 years, according to ESPN.

There are three league MVP candidates across these two teams. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes just broke the team’s 54-year-old single-season touchdown record in Week 10 and leads the league in touchdown passes (31).

Rams running back Todd Gurley, meanwhile, paces non-quarterbacks with 17 total touchdowns on the season and 5.0 yards per carry.

Rams quarterback Jared Goff might not get as many votes as Mahomes or Gurley, but he is a close second behind Mahomes for most passing yards (3,134). ESPN senior reporter Tim Keown went in depth this week on Goff's progress from a stumbling No. 1 overall pick to the leader of perhaps the league's most exciting air attack.

The Rams may have the edge because of a star-studded defense. Wade Phillips' squad includes former Chiefs' star cornerback Marcus Peters, as well as defensive linemen Ndamukong Suh, Aaron Donald and the recently added Dante Fowler. The secondary, however, has been inconsistent with cornerback Aqib Talib sidelined with an ankle injury. The unit will have their work cut out for them when they face the likes of Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins.

The Chiefs could use more production from their defense. Bob Sutton's unit has improved a bit in recent weeks but still ranks 29th in the NFL in total yards per game. The Chiefs give up 24 points per game, which is just below the league average. The return of star pass rusher Justin Houston will boost the Chiefs’ pass rush but a run defense that struggled to contain Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson will have its hands full with Gurley.

Both teams are somewhat close to full strength, with the obvious exception of Rams receiver Cooper Kupp. The second-year star was on pace for more than 900 receiving yards before tearing his ACL against the Seattle Seahawks last week.

Watkins, meanwhile, is expected to return after missing last week’s game against the Cardinals with a foot injury.

Both the Rams and Chiefs have one loss, though it came against top competition. The Chiefs lost a tight road game to the New England Patriots in Week 6, 43-40. The Rams' only loss was at New Orleans in Week 9, 45-35.

Prediction: The Rams defense should be up to the hefty task of containing Mahomes and Hill, but the tougher challenge will be holding off running back Kareem Hunt. The Chiefs defense has seen progress but they probably don't have enough to keep Goff and Co. in check.

Rams over Chiefs, 40-31