The Kansas City Chiefs have nothing to play for as they’re locked into the AFC third seed. The Los Angeles Chargers are riding a 4-game losing streak. Let’s preview this game and give out a Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers prediction.
Kansas City Chiefs Betting Preview
The Kansas City Chiefs rebounded from a loss to the Raiders with a win over the Bengals. Patrick Mahomes is completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,183 yards, 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice have combined for 1,922 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, while Justin Watson has 27 receptions. The Kansas City Chiefs ground game is averaging 103.8 yards per contest, and Isiah Pacheco leads the way with 935 yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively, Kansas City is allowing 17.6 points and 285.8 yards per game. Justin Reid leads the Kansas City Chiefs with 95 tackles, George Karlaftis has 10.5 sacks and L’Jarius Sneed has 2 interceptions.
Kansas City Chiefs Team Facts
- The Chiefs have won each of their last 11 games played on the West Coast.
- The Chiefs have covered the spread in each of their last eight games as road underdogs against AFC opponents.
- The Chiefs have scored the first touchdown in each of their last five games as underdogs against AFC West opponents.
- The Chiefs have lost the first quarter in four of their last five games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Chiefs have won the first half in each of their last five January games against AFC opponents.
Los Angeles Chargers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Chargers lost to the Broncos, Raiders, and Bills during this streak. Easton Stick is completing 65.4 percent of his passes for 871 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Keenan Allen and Joshua Palmer have combined for 1,780 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, while Quentin Johnston has 36 receptions. The Los Angeles Chargers ground game is averaging 95.3 yards per contest, and Austin Ekeler leads the way with 617 yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively, Los Angeles is allowing 4.1 points and 368.9 yards per game. Derwin James Jr. leads the Los Angeles Chargers with 117 tackles, Khalil Mack has 16 sacks and Asante Samuel Jr. has 2 interceptions.
Los Angeles Chargers Team Facts
- The Chargers have lost each of their last five games as slight favorites (<-3.5 points).
- The Chargers have covered the spread in each of their last four home games against reigning Super Bowl champions.
- The Chargers have scored the first touchdown in seven of their last eight games following a road loss.
- The Chargers have won the first quarter in three of their last four games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Chargers have lost the first half in each of their last four games in California.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers prediction
This line has shifted drastically because the Kansas City Chiefs have nothing to play for and are sure to sit their starters as they prepare for wild card weekend. However, the Chargers being favored is weird because they’ve been piling up the losses and shouldn’t try to win here as they hope to get the best draft pick possible. I don’t want to get behind Blaine Gabbert and company, but laying chalk with a Chargers team that’s playing backups and has won once since November 12 makes no sense to me. Give me the Chiefs and the points.