Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers NFL Odds, Betting Preview 9/9/18

A huge early season matchup within the AFC West will take place this afternoon as the Kansas City Chiefs invade StubHub Center in Carson, California to rumble will the Los Angeles Chargers. This contest has a start time of 4:05 PM. The Chiefs won the AFC West last year with a 10-6 record, while the Chargers finished 2nd at 9-7.  

Lines:  Los Angeles -3.5… Over/Under 48.5

A Look At The Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs won the division last year with a 10-6 record, but many feel that they will take a step back this year. Gone is quarterback Alex Smith and in steps Patrick Mahomes. He has Kareem Hunt in the backfield after leading the league in rushing last year with 1327 yards. Also back is TE Travis Kelce, plus they have added WR Sammy Watkins. Mahomes has some weapons, but he is still is a young QB and did not look great in the preseason. The KC coaching staff does have confidence in him, but he will be taking on what many feel is a top-five defense in this one. If Mahomes has a good game, then the Chiefs have a good shot at taking this one.

The defense was not that great last year, but they did draft well on that side of the ball and have added some solid free agents, including LB Anthony Hitchens and DB Kendall Fuller. They should be improved on that side of the ball and they will need that defense to step up in this one as they are taking on a very good San Diego offense. The Chiefs have some nice pieces to work with, but still, they will go as far as Mahomes can’t take them. If he struggles, then they will struggle.    

A Look At The Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers started last year by going 0-4. The Fans were revolting and all was lost at that points. Well, the Chargers won back their fans by going 9-3 over their final 12 games and now they have high hopes for this year. Many feel that they will win the division, but is it a tough one and they certainly won’t win it if they get off to another 0-4 start. Philip Rivers had a solid season last year in leading the Bolts to the best passing attack in the league. His window is closing, but he still should have another good year. Keenan Allen had 1393 yards receiving and eight TDs last year and he is back, along with Tyrell Williams, who had 728 yards and four TDs last year.

The offense isn’t all about the passing game as they have Melvin Gordon in the backfield. Last year, he ran for 1105 yards and eight TDs and is looking for another strong season. If he runs well, then that can only help the passing game. This will be a tough offense for teams to stop, but the Bolts also have a strong defense that ranked 3rd in the league in points allowed last year. That defense does have a tough test in this one as the Chiefs do have some good offensive weapons. This has a chance to be a very good game.     

Trends

Kansas City is:

4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. the AFC

19-7 ATS in their last 26 vs. the AFC West

1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games

The Over is 8-3 in their last 11 games in September

The Under is 5-1 in their last 6 games on grass

Los Angeles is:

5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games in Week 1

6-2 ATS in their last 8 games on grass

0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games in September

The Over is 4-1 in their last 5 games in Week 1

The Under is 16-5-1 in their last 22 games overall