Chiefs vs. Chargers Prediction
AFC West rivals meet in L.A. Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET when the Chargers host the new-look Kansas City Chiefs. Will the Chargers cover the small point spread versus the Chiefs or will Patrick Mahomes lead KC to a pivotal early-season road win?
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 49 points. As of this writing, 55% of the public betting tickets are on the Chargers to cover the point spread.
Kansas City Chiefs
Eric Berry (heel) is doubtful for Week 1 against the Chargers. Coach Andy Reid said Berry “probably won’t play,” which is consistent with how the Chiefs listed him. Already vulnerable following Marcus Peters’ offseason departure, KC’s weakened secondary is ripe for the picking. Philip Rivers has blow-up potential in Week 1 and should be a popular DFS stack paired with Keenan Allen.
Los Angeles Chargers
Joey Bosa will travel to Green Bay Wednesday to receive a second opinion on his injured foot. He’ll get checked out by renowned foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson. Bosa is believed to be dealing with a bone bruise. That’s usually not a long-term injury, though Bosa’s continued absence has obviously raised questions. We’d consider the stud pass-rusher questionable bordering on doubtful for next week’s matchup in Buffalo.
NFL Betting Trends
Kansas City
The Chiefs are 19-7 against the spread in their last 26 divisional games.
Los Angeles
The Chargers are 4-1 against the number in their last five home games.
Prediction
The Chargers have been notorious for a couple of things: Injuries, slow starts to their season and losing to the Chiefs. Kansas City has won eight straight in this series, including three in a row by double digits. Granted, Mahomes did not start any of those games so that trend (like most) is misleading. That said, Philip Rivers has struggled against Bob Sutton’s defenses, throwing just six touchdowns to 13 interceptions during a 0-8 stretch. I’m taking the points in what should be a shootout.
NFL Preseason Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs +3.5