Last Updated on October 25, 2009 8:00 am by Anthony Rome
Chargers at Chiefs Pick
The reeling San Diego Chargers head to Arrowhead Stadium this Sunday to take on AFC West rivals the Kansas City Chiefs at 1:00PM ET.
In Week 5, the Chargers dropped a 34-23 decision at home against the Broncos, failing to cover as 4-point favorites. Quarterback Philip Rivers went 20-for-33 for 274 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
The Chiefs beat the Redskins 14-6 last Sunday to earn their first victory of the season. Matt Cassel threw for 186 yards and Dwayne Bowe caught six passes for 109 yards in the win, as Kansas City covered as 6.5-point underdogs.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Chargers 5-point favorites over the Chiefs on Sunday. The over/under total for this game has been established at 44 points.
San Diego has struggled generating a pass rush this season defensively. Coordinator Ron Rivera seems lost in trying to get the Chargers to play with more passion and limit the big plays.
While Kansas City doesn’t have the most explosive offense in the NFL (they have one of the least explosive offenses in the league, in fact), Cassel should be able to hit Bowe on a couple of long plays throughout the game.
We like the home team getting points in this matchup, especially considering that the Chargers are coming off a short week, can’t run the football and haven’t played well defensively. As long as Rivers doesn’t burn the young, inexperienced Kansas City secondary for big plays, the Chiefs should keep this game close.
Our NFL Week 7 Free Pick for this matchup is: KANSAS CITY +5 and UNDER 44.
Chargers at Chiefs Current Odds
413 San Diego Chargers –5 (-225 moneyline) Over 44
414 Kansas City Chiefs +5 (+185 moneyline) Under 44
San Diego is 3-8-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
San Diego is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Kansas City is 4-12 ATS in its last 16 games at home
Kansas City is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
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San Diego Chargers |
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Nick Hardwick |
C |
Out Week 7 (ankle) |
|
Kevin Burnett |
LB |
Doubtful Week 7 (ankle) |
|
Antonio Cromartie |
CB |
Questionable Week 7 (knee) |
|
Craig Davis |
WR |
Questionable Week 7 (illness) |
|
Jacob Hester |
RB |
Questionable Week 7 (illness) |
|
Travis Johnson |
DE |
Questionable Week 7 (groin) |
|
Stephen Cooper |
LB |
Probable Week 7 (knee) |
|
Vaughn Martin |
DE |
Probable Week 7 (hamstring) |
|
Shawne Merriman |
LB |
Probable Week 7 (foot) |
|
Mike Scifres |
P |
Probable Week 7 (bilateral groin) |
|
LaDainian Tomlinson |
RB |
Probable Week 7 (illness) |
|
Jyles Tucker |
LB |
Probable Week 7 (illness) |
|
Louis Vasquez |
G |
Probable Week 7 (knee) |
|
Kansas City Chiefs |
||
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Branden Albert |
T |
Questionable Week 7 (ankle) |
|
Ryan O’Callaghan |
T |
Probable Week 7 (shoulder) |
|
Jarrad Page |
S |
Probable Week 7 (shoulder) |
|
Brian Waters |
G |
Probable Week 7 (ankle) |
Posted: 10/25/09 8:00AM ET