Game Preview

Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers Pick and Preview

Isiah Pacheco

AFC West Divisional Matchup

Point Spread: Chargers -3.5 | Total Points: 35

Coming into this week’s AFC matchup vs the Chargers, the Chiefs have an above .500 record at 10-6. In week 17, the Chiefs had the Bengals at home. Kansas City finished the game with a 25-17 win. Heading into the game, the Chiefs were favored by 7. Their 8-point win was enough to cover the spread. In their most recent game, the over/under line was 45.5 points. By combining for 42 points, the under hit.

This week, the Chargers will look to snap their current four-game losing streak with a victory over the Chiefs. Heading into action, the team has a below .500 record of 5-11. The Chargers will be looking to get back on track this week following their 16-9 loss to the Broncos. In addition to their 7-point loss, the Chargers also lost vs. the spread. They were 3.5-point underdogs heading into the game. The pre-game over/under line in their most recent game vs. Denver was 38.5. The teams fell short of this figure with 25 points.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers History

During their first meeting, the Chiefs secured a 31-17 win against the Chargers. On the point spread, the Chiefs went in as the favorite (-6), and they secured a 14-point win, picking up an ATS win. When the game started, the over/under line was 48.5 points, and the teams fell short of it.

In the last three games between Los Angeles and Kansas City, the Chiefs have dominated the series, going 3-0. This includes a convincing margin of victory of 7 points per contest. Across the last three head-to-head matchups, Kansas City is averaging 29 points compared to Los Angeles at 22.

Notable Injuries

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Nazeeh Johnson – Knee (Out)
  • Gerrit Prince – Undisclosed (Out)
  • Bryan Cook – Ankle (Out)
  • Skyy Moore – Knee (Out)
  • Patrick Mahomes – Rest (Out)
  • Chris Jones – Groin (Questionable)
  • Rashee Rice – Hamstring (Questionable)
  • Isiah Pacheco – Quad/shoulder (Questionable)
  • Travis Kelce – Neck (Questionable)
  • L’Jarius Sneed – Calf (Questionable)
  • Prince Tega Wanogho – Quad (Out)
  • Kadarius Toney – Hip/ankle (Questionable)
  • Jody Fortson – Shoulder (Out)
  • Donovan Smith – Neck (Questionable)
  • Jerick McKinnon – Groin (Out)

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Corey Linsley – Heart (Out)
  • Nick Williams – Shoulder (Questionable)
  • Keenan Allen – Heel (Questionable)
  • Joey Bosa – Foot (Questionable)
  • Mike Williams – Knee (Out)
  • Zack Bailey – Back (Out)
  • Justin Herbert – Finger (Out)
  • Will Clapp – Knee (Out)
  • Joshua Palmer – Concussion (Questionable)
  • Chris Rumph II – Foot (Out)
  • Kenneth Murray Jr. – Shoulder (Questionable)
  • Tanner Muse – Knee (Questionable)
  • Justin Hollins – Shoulder (Questionable)
  • Trey Pipkins III – Wrist (Questionable)
  • Deane Leonard – Heel (Questionable)
  • Stone Smartt – Shoulder (Questionable)
  • Amechi Uzodinma – Undisclosed (Out)
  • Zion Johnson – Neck (Questionable)
  • Raheem Layne – Knee (Out)
  • Andrew Trainer – Undisclosed (Out)
  • Rashawn Slater – Knee (Probable)
  • Tuli Tuipulotu – Ankle (Questionable)

Keys To Victory: Kansas City Chiefs

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes leads the league’s 11th-ranked scoring offense into Los Angeles, averaging 252.7 passing yards per game. Kansas City will continue turning to the pass on offense, as they throw the ball an average of 37.8 times per contest. Overall, Mahomes has put together a passer rating of 92.6 while throwing for 4183 yards. Heading into the game, the team’s top receiver Travis Kelce who through 15 games, has 984 receiving yards this season. Kansas City has managed to find success on offense, even though they are ranked just 19th in rush yards per game. However, this lack of production has more to do with limited opportunities, as they are a below-average group in attempts.

Keys To Victory: Los Angeles Chargers

Against Kansas City, the Chargers will be on the attack in the passing game, as they are throwing the ball an average of 36.6 times per contest. Their preference to air the ball out has led to the team ranking 18th in points per game (20.9). Easton Stick comes into the game with 871 passing yards on a completion percentage of 65.4%. The team’s top receiver Keenan Allen, has caught 108 passes and has accumulated 1243 receiving yards this season. A major problem for this year’s Los Angeles offense is their lack of production in the run game. Per attempt, the team is averaging just 3.7 yards per attempt. Overall, they are the 26th-ranked team in yards per game.

Betting Trends

  • Across their three previous road games, Kansas City has an ATS mark of 1-1-1. Their straight-up record in these matchups was 2-1 while averaging 25 points per game.
  • Across their ten previous home games, Los Angeles has an ATS mark of 4-6. Their straight-up record in these matchups was 3-7 while averaging 21 points per game.
  • Kansas City has done well both straight up and vs the spread as the underdog, going 3-2 SU and 3-2 ATS in their last five games.
  • The last three games that Los Angeles was favored, they have an ATS mark of 1-2 while going 1-2 straight up.

Prediction

  • Los Angeles Chargers 22 – Kansas City Chiefs 21
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