Written by :
Published on :
Carrie Stroup here with your Chargers vs. Chiefs spread. Kansas City -10.5, Total: 45.0. *Advisory: Steady Rain Was Anticipated For This Game, Thus Potentially Impacting the Line And More So The Total.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (3-9) at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (7-5)
The Chiefs will look to remain in the thick of the playoff hunt when they host the division rival Chargers on Sunday afternoon.
The Chargers (3-9 SU, 4-8 ATS) fell to the Broncos last Sunday, 17-3, dropping to 0-3 SU and ATS against the rest of the AFC West. For the 2nd time in three weeks, the Chargers offense mustered just three points, after averaging more than 23 PPG in their first nine games of the season.
The Chiefs (7-5 SU & ATS) continued their unbelievable hot streak with their sixth straight win SU and ATS following a 1-5 start on both accounts. The Chiefs’ offense put up a season-low 232 total yards of offense, but the defense came up big with three fourth quarter INTs, including a late pick-six that sealed the victory.
Trends for the game skewed ever so slightly in Kansas City’s favor, if only for home field advantage. These two teams have played 48 times since 1992, and have split those meetings 24-24, both SU and ATS. In games played at Kansas City, the Chiefs have held a slim 12-11 ATS advantage. Since the start of the 2012 season, Phillip Rivers is 28-32 ATS, while Alex Smith is 29-24 ATS, but just 1-4 ATS vs. San Diego head coach Mike McCoy. As for McCoy, he’s just 4-12 ATS vs. the rest of the AFC West since becoming the Chargers’ coach before the 2013 season, including a current nine game losing streak.
As for Kansas City head coach Andy Reid, he’s 57-37 ATS when facing a team with a losing record since 1999. Both teams are dealing with numerous injuries across the board.
After putting up at least 350 total yards in each of their first eight games this season, the Chargers’ offense has reached the mark just once in their last four games, with their lone win ATS coming in that one 350+ yard performance. San Diego has failed to consistently put up a rushing attack this season, averaging just 82.7 YPG (30th in the league), going over the 100 yard mark just once this season, while being held under 75 yards on three occasions. San Diego has also struggled to stop the run this season, allowing 124.6 YPG (26th in the league).
Philip Rivers is going to have to make some plays in this game. The Chargers offense is built around him moving the ball effectively and he is not the type of quarterback to let his team score three points in back to back weeks. He’ll come out aggressive in this game, but will need help from his teammates.
Kansas City is capable, on both sides of the ball, of turning San Diego’s season from bad to worse. On defense, the Chiefs are allowing just 96.2 YPG (8th in the league). On offense, led by RBs Charcandrick West & Spencer Ware, as well as the QB Smith, the Chiefs are averaging 121.3 YPG (7th in the league). Smith will need to improve Kansas City’s passing game (26th in league in YPG) to keep San Diego from stacking the box against West and Ware.
One guy who may help Smith is Jeremy Maclin, who has caught nine passes in each of the past two weeks. Maclin has three touchdowns in those games and is making a huge impact in the receiving game, which is just what he was brought in to do. He should be able to get open against a vulnerable defense.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
