Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers (-15), Total 45.5 |
Kansas City has been by far the worst team in NFL betting this year, failing to cover the spread by a combined 73.5 points through two weeks of action. The Chiefs followed up a 41-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills as 3.5-point home favorites with a 48-3 defeat as nine-point road underdogs versus the Detroit Lions.
Injuries have become a major storyline as well, losing a pair of Pro Bowlers on each side of the field, as safety Eric Berry and running back Jamaal Charles have both been lost for the season with ACL injuries.
Quarterback Matt Cassel will need to raise his level of play in order for this team to possibly win back-to-back AFC West division titles, as he’s averaged 114.3 passing yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions in his last three games against the San Diego Chargers.
Turnovers are going to be a major factor in his contest, as Kansas City leads the league in miscues, while San Diego has seen quarterback Philip Rivers throw four interceptions and fumble as well.
NFL betting players will find that the Chiefs are 12-11 ATS as an underdog over the last two-plus seasons and 3-9 ATS when facing division opponents.
San Diego dropped a 35-21 contest to the New England Patriots as 6.5-point road underdogs last week, dropping to 0-2 ATS on the year. The Chargers opened up the season with a 24-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings as nine-point home favorites.
Rivers is likely to enjoy a bounce back performance in facing the Chiefs, leading the team to wins in five of the last six meetings. He has averaged 295.2 yards and a 108.0 passer rating over that span.
Getting out to a good start is going to be vital for the double-digit favorites, but playing the Chiefs inside Qualcomm Stadium is likely to do just that. San Diego has gone into the break with 21-0 and 28-7 leads in the last two meetings in Southern California.
On the other side of the ball, the pass defense was left reeling last week, allowing Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to throw for 423 yards. It’s not as difficult a matchup this week, but the Chargers will need to pay attention to where wide receiver Dwayne Bowe lines up on each and every play.
Sportbooks betters will find that the Chargers are 9-8 ATS in their last 17 home games, while posting a 11-15 ATS mark versus AFC West rivals in betting predictions.
With the home team being 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings, Chargers betting is likely the best play for bettors in this particular contest.
