Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs Matchup Preview (12/29/19): Matchup Analysis, Depth Charts, Daily Fantasy

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Week 17 is here, and the Chiefs and Chargers will meet for the final time. One team is headed for the playoffs, while the Chargers are headed golfing for the offseason. Unlike the last time these two met, this game will be played in the states. The Chiefs won a sloppy 24-17 game in Mexico City last time out, and Vegas suggests a big win at home over the hapless Chargers. Despite having a playoff berth wrapped up, the Chiefs still need to play for a win and hope that the Patriots lose to the Dolphins. It is unlikely, but if that was the case, Kansas City would have a first round bye. The Chargers are playing for nothing more than a higher or lower draft pick. For odds line movement, and full matchup history, see the Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs Matchup Page.

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, December 29th,
Time: 1:00 ET
Location: Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City Chiefs
Coverage: CBS

Injury Report

Los Angeles Chargers: Philip Rivers (P), Thomas Davis (P), Russell Okung (D)
Kansas City Chiefs: Cameron Erving (P)

Los Angeles Chargers Analysis

Kansas City has held three of their last four opponents to below ten points. While the Chargers have some better names than some of the teams they have played, the offense hasn’t played well for most of the year. The Chiefs have a strong pass defense, ranking 6th, but rank 30th against the run. The game script could get out of the way for Melvin Gordon, where Austin Ekeler sees more snaps and target sin the passing game. If they keep things close and try and end the season on a high note, Gordon can take advantage of this weaker run defense. Gordon has averaged 4.4 yards per carry and 69 rushing yards per game against the Chiefs over the last five. He has four touchdowns in that span and 42.8 receiving yards per game. However the receiving workload hasn’t been quite the same this season. Keenan Allen has been held in check by the Chiefs, averaging 58 receiving yards and just two touchdowns over the last five against them.

Los Angeles Chargers Depth Chart

QB: Philip Rivers
RB1: Melvin Gordon
RB2: Austin Ekeler
WR1: Keenan Allen
WR2: Mike Williams
WR3: Andre Patton
TE: Hunter Henry

Kansas City Chiefs Analysis

The backfield has been dinged up all year, leading to a hefty committee. However we saw Damien Williams return, and he saw a sizable workload. The game was in control from the start against Chicago, which pushed a good game script for Williams. He rushed 16 times for 65 yards, and caught all three targets for 27 yards and a score. It will be an easier matchup for him against the Chargers, who rank 23rd against the run. They haven’t been much better against the pass either, ranking 21st in DVOA. It wasn’t a great meeting the first time out where Patrick Mahomes and the offense struggled through the air. With the offense clicking and in a more familiar environment, I would expect more out of them. Tyreek Hill has averaged 76 yards over the last five games against the Chargers, with four touchdowns. Mahomes has seven touchdowns over the three games in his career, throwing for 227 yards per game.

Kansas City Chiefs Depth Chart

QB: Patrick Mahomes
RB1: Damien Williams
RB2: LeSean McCoy
WR1: Tyreek Hill
WR2: Sammy Watkins
WR3: Mecole Hardman
TE: Travis Kelce

Betting Pick: Kansas City Chiefs -8

The Chiefs come in as eight point favorites, which is a pretty fair spread. I like them outright of course, but I don’t mind taking the points here given the better value. Kansas City is rolling in hot and are 5-0 ATS over the last five games. While the Chargers seemingly lose within a touchdown score most times out, I don’t see them competing much here. The Chiefs defense has been excellent of late, while we have seen Philip Rivers look closer to needing to retire.

Daily Fantasy: Chiefs Onslaught Is On

The Chiefs have an implied total of nearly four touchdowns, and with Damien Williams coming back into a larger role last week, we can look at him against the 23rd ranked run defense. Williams saw a healthy dose of touches and produced. It has been a disappointing season given the injuries for him, but he can end on a high note and build into the playoffs. As far as the passing game goes, it is the usual suspects. Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill both have strong upside, but also have plenty of names around their price tags in good spots that might deter some ownership. Patrick Mahomes isn’t quite the easy selection like last season at his price, but is always in play given the upside. On the other side of this game, I have a hard time buying into the Chargers. This is a good pass defense for Kansas City, and where they do struggle is on the ground. However a quick lead for the Chiefs and the game script is loss for Melvin Gordon. On DraftKings Austin Ekeler is worth a flyer in tournaments given the PPR appeal. Tight ends have had success against the Chiefs, and mainly because they see sizable volume. Hunter Henry is the one I like the most from the pass-catching options.