Chiefs Chargers Betting – Chargers Put Chiefs In Deeper Hole
Kansas City was a sports betting darling ahead of the season after last year’s surprising run to the AFC West title, but a number of injuries and a pair of demoralizing losses have put them behind the eight-ball as they get ready to head to San Diego. The Chargers are coming off a tough loss in New England, and they’ll be out to take their frustrations on the team that took the division from them, although Kansas City will put up a fight.
What: NFL Betting
When: Sunday, September 25th, 4:05 PM ET
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
Pick: San Diego Chargers -15
Why Bet On Kansas City Chiefs (0-2 SU, 0-2 ATS)
Good luck trying to find a positive from the Chiefs’ 48-3 humiliation in Detroit. It all began with a knee injury to running back Jamaal Charles, who joins safety Eric Berry and tight end Tony Moeaki on the sidelines with ACL tears and now the Chiefs are without three of their top 10 players. But if you could take one good thing from this game, it’s that the Chiefs ran for 151 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Dexter McCluster and Thomas Jones better prepare for more work, because the Chiefs are going to need them to turn around what has been a record-setting start to the season; Kansas City has lost their first two games by 79 points, which is a new benchmark for a team’s first two games.
Here we go with the negatives: Matt Cassel was 15-of-22 for 133 yards, three picks and a fumble, which counts for four of Kansas City’s six turnovers on the day. They gave the Lions four first downs on flags, they allowed Detroit to go 5-of-6 in the red zone and basically made them look like the 2007 New England Patriots. But more importantly, the Chiefs rolled over in the fourth quarter and that is something that head coach Todd Haley has to fix before this trip to San Diego. Whether they win the game or not, the Chiefs have to play with some sort of pride or they’re going to get blown out again.
Why Bet On San Diego Chargers (1-1 SU, 0-2 ATS)
The Chargers shot themselves in the foot with four turnovers in a 35-21 loss in New England, with three coming from Philip Rivers. The San Diego pivot kept his team in the game with 29-of-40 for 378 yards and two touchdowns, but he also had two picks and added a fumble along the way. Vincent Jackson couldn’t be stopped with 10 catches for 172 yards and a pair of scores, but the Chargers lost receiver Malcolm Lloyd to a groin injury and that put more pressure on tight end Antonio Gates, who was being double-teamed when the Patriots weren’t putting two men on Jackson. The Chargers also converted 10 of their 12 third-down opportunities, which means they had chances to stay in the game.
But NFL betting players know that turnovers will always kill a team and you’re not going to beat the Patriots with four of them, which is why you can expect the Chargers to be more efficient this week. The Chargers may also give more work to running back Ryan Mathews, who had 12 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown, and even though Mike Tolbert had eight catches for 73 yards, he also fumbled for the sixth time in his last 17 games, so that may push him down the depth chart.
How It Will Play Out
The Chargers are favored by 15 points in your sportsbook, their largest NFL betting spread since a 16-point spread against Oakland in November 2009 (The Chargers won 24-16 at home). San Diego is 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS in their last five meetings at home against the Chiefs, with three games going over the posted total.
This is going to be a massive game for the Chiefs in terms of heart, because they can’t afford to get slaughtered again in terms of fan support. The Chargers haven’t looked great yet this year, barely getting by Minnesota at home and then losing to the Patriots in New England, but they should be able handle the Chiefs easily. Cassel looks out of sorts without offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, who left for the University of Florida, and now they don’t have Charles. The defense is going to have a tough time with Rivers if they struggled with Stafford, and while it won’t be a 45-point blowout, San Diego should comfortably cover the online betting spread at Qualcomm Stadium.
Chiefs Chargers Betting Pick: San Diego Chargers -15
