Last Updated on November 29, 2009 3:00 pm by Anthony Rome
Chiefs vs. Bolts Pick
AFC West rivals meet in Week 12 when the San Diego Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs at 4:05PM ET on Sunday.
The Chiefs upset the Steelers in overtime, 27-24 as 11-point underdogs in Week 11. The combined score went over the posted total of 39.5 points as Matt Cassell threw for 248 yards with two touchdowns for Kansas City. Chris Chambers also caught four passes for 119 yards.
The Chargers defeated the Broncos 32-3 as a 6-point favorite in Week 11, while the combined score fell under the posted total of 41.5 points. Philip Rivers threw for 145 yards with a touchdown for San Diego and LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Chargers 14-point favorites over the Chiefs in Week 12. The over/under total for this game has been set at 45 points.
The Chiefs are having a tough time scoring and an even tougher time stopping opponents. KC is allowing 23.9 points per game and scoring just 16.9, which doesn’t bode well considering San Diego is scoring 26.9 points per game.
The Chiefs’ pass defense is allowing 251.0 yards per game, while the Chargers are averaging 248.3 yards per game through the air. Rivers should have plenty of throwing lanes against a suspect KC secondary and take advantage of some big play opportunities.
We know Kansas City is coming off an impressive upset of the Steelers, but the Chiefs won’t have the same success this week offensively without Dwayne Bowe.
Take the Chargers and lay the 14 points. Our free pick prediction for this game is to take the under, which has covered in four of San Diego’s last five games when playing at home against Kansas City.
Our NFL Week 12 Free Pick for this matchup is: SAN DIEGO CHARGERS –14 and UNDER 45.
Chiefs vs. Chargers Current Odds
225 Kansas City Chiefs +14 Over 45
226 San Diego Chargers –14 Under 45
Kansas City is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Kansas City is 4-18 SU in its last 22 games
San Diego is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Kansas City
San Diego is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Kansas City
KANSAS CITY
[WR] 09/01/2009 – Devard Darling IR ( Knee )
[S] 11/04/2009 – Jarrad Page IR ( Shoulder )
[RB] 10/15/2009 – Jackie Battle IR ( Shoulder )
[OL] 11/11/2009 – Mike Goff IR ( Shoulder )
[RB] 11/16/2009 – Dantrell Savage injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Pittsburgh ( Ankle )
[LB] 11/20/2009 – Mike Vrabel out indefinitely ( Knee )
[WR] 11/17/2009 – Dwayne Bowe expected to miss 4 games ( Suspension )
[OG] 11/18/2009 – Andy Alleman "?" Sunday vs. Pittsburgh ( Knee )
SAN DIEGO
[C] 11/19/2009 – Nick Hardwick is downgraded to doubtful Sunday vs. Denver ( Ankle )
[NT] 09/19/2009 – Jamal Williams IR ( Tricep )
[LB] 10/20/2009 – Antwan Applewhite IR ( Hamstring )
[LB] 11/15/2009 – Tim Dobbins "?" Sunday vs. Denver ( Knee )
[LB] 11/18/2009 – Jyles Tucker IR ( Ankle )
[T] 11/19/2009 – Jeromey Clary is upgraded to probable Sunday vs. Denver ( Leg )
Posted: 11/29/09 3:05PM ET