The Chiefs are playing like the best team in the AFC right now and get a return engagement with the Chargers, who they blasted by 30 points just three weeks ago. The Bolts opened as a 10-point underdog for the tilt, just the third time since 2004 they’ve been tabbed as double-digit dogs. KC is a sizzling bet with six straight covers while climbing the ranks in the AFC.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Kansas City Chiefs -10
San Diego Chargers +10
Over/Under 46.5
ODDS ANALYSIS
The highest spread on the board has the Chiefs favored by 10 points in a rematch with their AFC West rivals. The Chargers are double-digit dogs for just the third time since 2004, but they were able to cover the previous two times. The Bolts are 0-4 ATS in their last four meetings with the Chiefs.
KEY INJURIES
Dontrelle Inman – Was injured on a scary hit against the Broncos last week. He was immobilized and taken off the field on a cart. He was diagnosed with a strained neck and is listed as day-to-day, leaving an already thin Chargers receiving corps another man down for this week.
Jeff Allen – The Chiefs’ starting guard left last week’s game after just eight plays because of his sprained right ankle and didn’t return. He originally suffered the injury two weeks ago against Buffalo, but returned in that game when other injuries left the offensive line shorthanded. Donald Stephenson, normally a tackle, replaced him.
KEY MISMATCH
Alex Smith’s safety-first approach to quarterbacking continues to work well for the Chiefs. Smith extended his streak of passes without an interception to 305 last week, going 16 of 22 for 162 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-20 win against the Raiders. It’s the third-longest streak in NFL history, behind tom Brady’s 358 and Bernie Kosar’s 308. Smith has gone nine straight games without throwing an interception and the Chiefs have won each of the last six in that stretch. Smith has avoided costly turnovers and managed an offense that has used the combination of Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware at running back. The two possess different running styles and have chewed up yardage on the ground to avoid putting Smith in risky passing situations. West is the more versatile back and best fits the Chiefs’ offensive system, particularly because of his skills as a receiver. Ware is the physical runner, capable of gaining the tough yards between the tackles. Once again the Chargers will be challenged to stop the Chiefs, who rushed for 153 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-3 win at San Diego on Nov. 22.
KEY STAT
39.0 – Kansas City’s quarterback sacks allowed. The Chiefs have given up the second-most sacks and will likely use another different offensive line combination in this game. San Diego is one of the worst teams in getting to the quarterback with only 22 sacks on the year.
BETTING ANGLE
The Chargers picked through the wreckage of another loss following last week’s 17-3 defeat to the Broncos, which dropped them to 3-9. And the status of coach Mike McCoy becomes murkier by the day. San Diego is reeling and that’s not hard to notice. But what’s especially troubling about their funk is that they have lost five straight games to AFC West opponents and haven’t defeated one in over a year. That’s not a good sign for any team, as the best barometer for any club is how they perform against the teams that know them best – division rivals. So with the Chargers staggering toward the finish line, questions about their GM’s future is finished business. Tom Telesco has survived his rookie contract with an extension. Will the same be said for McCoy?
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
San Diego probably got hit with the injury bug more than any team in the NFL this season and it has showed. Philip Rivers lost his receivers and the offensive line has been in a constant state of flux, causing the offense to run on fumes. Running back Melvin Gordon hasn’t lived up to the hype and was benched again after fumbling twice last week. The run games has faltered so badly that the team has abandoned that part altogether. And that makes things more difficult for Rivers, who just doesn’t have the weapons or the protection. Kansas City looks like the best team in the AFC and got contributions from all over in last week’s win. While the offense stumbled a bit, the defense came through with huge plays in the fourth quarter to stymie the Raiders. The Chiefs have been good at holding onto the football, and as long as they don’t give the Chargers a gift or two, they should walk away with yet another win.
Kansas City 24, San Diego 15
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