Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 9/6/18 Predictions & Odds

Chiefs vs. Chargers Total Prediction

The Patrick Mahomes era will start in L.A. on Sunday when the Chiefs visit AFC West rivals the Chargers at 4:05 p.m. ET. Will Mahomes and Co. light up the scoreboard and allow bettors to cash the over?

Game Snapshot

469 Kansas City Chiefs at 470 Los Angeles Chargers

4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 9, 2018

StubHub Center, Carson, California

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Chargers are 3.5-point favorites to beat the Chiefs. The total, meanwhile, sits at 48 points. As of this writing, 48% of the public betting tickets are on the Chargers to cover the point spread.

Kansas City Chiefs

Eric Berry (heel) is not practicing on Wednesday. Coach Andy Reid reiterated Berry is day to day. The Chiefs turned over their entire secondary, shedding six cornerbacks from last year's team and plan to start Ron Parker at one of the two safety spots after he was just signed over the weekend. Philip Rivers is in a glorious spot at home Sunday.

Los Angeles Chargers

Antonio Gates is "optimistic" he will play in the season opener. Signed on Sunday, Gates practiced for the first time this year on Wednesday, but he is still hopeful he can suit up against the Chiefs. "I think I'm well aware of the preparation that needs to be put in throughout the week to go play a game at the highest level possible," Gates said. "It just depends on how I feel leading up to Sunday." Even if he is active, it will be tough to trust Gates in a fantasy lineup this week.

NFL Betting Trends

Kansas City

The under is 4-1 in the Chiefs’ last five games overall.

Los Angeles

The under is 5-0 in the Chargers’ last five games versus AFC West opponents.

Prediction

The under is 6-2 in the last eight meetings between these two teams but I’m bucking that trend for Sunday. There are so many new faces on Kansas City’s defense that the Chiefs are likely to struggle on that side of the ball for at least the first two months of the season. Despite losing tight end Hunter Henry, the Chargers have plenty of firepower on offense and if this turns into a shootout, Mahomes is equipped to throw it all over the yard with the weapons that he has in Tyreek Hill, Kareem Hunt and newcomer Sammy Watkins.

 

NFL Week 1 Prediction: Chiefs/Chargers over 48