Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs Matchup Preview (9/26/20): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)
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Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs Matchup Preview (9/26/20)
The AFC West is an interesting division right now. Currently, the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders are both on top and still undefeated at 2-0. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers both sit at 1-1. The fact that Kansas City not only won the division but made the Super Bowl last year and are now sharing the cellar with the Chargers has got to sting. Well, this division is about to get much more interesting when the Chiefs and Chargers face off in Arrowhead Stadium this Sunday.
Both teams have had eerily similar starts. They both won their first matchup in close games against playoff teams while dropping their second game after being given chances to win. However, while the Chiefs have been in nothing but high-scoring shootouts this season, the Chargers have kept their point totals under in both games. Something’s got to give this Sunday, with QBs Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes facing off for just the second time (Chad Henne started the Chiefs season finale in 2020 against the Chargers). Who will leave this AFC West matchup with a 2-1 record? Let’s take a closer look.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs Betting Odds
It’s hard to trust the Chiefs against the spread. So far, they’re one of the few teams that’s 0-2 against the spread heading into Week 3. However, it goes a little deeper than that. In their last 13 games, the Chiefs are 1-11-1 against the spread. There’s plenty of theories, from books overvaluing the Chiefs to the team playing down to competition. No matter the case, they’re in a major rut when it comes to ATS play.
If they’re going to keep this trend going, the Chargers need to get their offense going. The Chiefs defense has been soft this season, which has to be appetizing for Justin Herbert and company. In fact, the Chiefs defense is currently ranked dead last in the league, allowing an average of 469 yards per game. Justin Herbert could very well hit close to 400 yards if the Chargers need to keep up, as he’s averaging 337.5 yards per game so far this season. It might not be an upset, but the Chargers have the personnel to keep it close.
I see this as a game where the Chargers offense really gets rolling. Los Angeles plays the Chiefs hard, as seen with the close 23-20 overtime loss last year. I expect this game to be similar. The point total is where things get difficult at 55.5 points. I expect the Chargers defense, which held Dak Prescott to just 221 yards last week, to make just enough stops to keep this under. Take the Chargers to cover while this game barely slides to the under.
My predictions: Chiefs beat the Chargers 28-27, Chargers +6.5, under 55.5 points
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TV Schedule
Date: Sunday, September 26
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Location: Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri (MO)
TV Coverage: CBS
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs Live Stream
Where can you watch Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs Free Online Now.
Injuries
Los Angeles Chargers: S Nasir Adderley (groin) Q, DL Justin Jones (calf) D
Kansas City Chiefs: LB Willie Gay (toe) IR
Los Angeles Chargers Analysis
The Los Angeles Chargers have some big expectations for 2021. A brand new coach in Brandon Staley and a promising young QB in Justin Herbert make for an exciting combo, one that’s given some fans playoff hopes. The team’s coming off a disheartening 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. They made plenty of mistakes, making it seem more like the Chargers lost than the Cowboys won. Los Angeles committed 12 total penalties, including an aggravating eight in the second quarter. The officiating crew itself was criticized for bad calls, but the flags still stalled some major drives.
The Chargers offense has been the team’s strong suit since Justin Herbert came to town. Last year, the team ranked ninth in total offense, scoring 30 or more points five different times. And, while the Chargers have put up some big-time yards in their first two games (424 against the Chargers and 408 against the Cowboys), they haven’t been putting tons of points on the board, averaging 18.5 yards per game. They’ve got to start scoring if they’re going to compete in the AFC.
Defensively, the Chargers have been fairly average. They’ve been keeping teams scoring below 21 points in two games, but need to start making more plays. The team has only totaled three sacks so far, along with one interception by Asante Samuel Jr. They’re going to need to improve those numbers if Brandon Staley is going to live up to his reputation as a defensive guru.
Los Angeles Chargers Depth Chart
QB: Justin Herbert
RB1: Austin Ekeler
RB2: Larry Rountree III
WR1: Keenan Allen
WR2: Mike Williams
WR3: Jalen Guyton
TE1: Jared Cook
Kansas City Chiefs Analysis
It’s tough to criticize Patrick Mahomes’ season so far. He’s passed for 680 yards, six TDs, and one pick. However, that one bad interception in the Sunday Night Football matchup against the Ravens might haunt him, as it contributed to a heartbreaking one-point loss at M&T Bank Stadium. However, his numbers have been what you’d expect them to be as he continues to make his bid for another MVP award.
The team’s top running back, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, has had a rough start to the season. He’s run for 89 total yards so far, with a 3.3 average. But let’s address the elephant in the room: the fumble at the end of the game in Week 2. It essentially cost the Chiefs the game as they attempted to mount a comeback against the Ravens. That’s the kind of thing that’ll shake a young player’s confidence.
After allowing the Browns and Ravens to put up big numbers, the Chiefs defense has to start playing better. The unit has never been the team’s strong suit, as they ranked 16th in total defense last year. They’re allowing 32.5 points per game so far. The offense is talented, but it’s not sustainable to have a team need to score on almost every drive to pull away with a win.
Kansas City Chiefs Depth Chart
QB: Patrick Mahomes
RB1: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
RB2: Darrel Williams
WR1: Mecole Hardman
WR2: Tyreek Hill
WR3: Demarcus Robinson
TE1: Travis Kelce
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs Daily Fantasy Picks
The Chargers WRs are a strong play here. Keenan Allen is $6,600 on DraftKings while Mike Williams is currently listed at $6,400. So far, the two receivers have combined for 381 yards and a pair of touchdowns. As I said, the Chiefs defense is a major weak spot, and I’ll continue to fade them until I see something more. Take Allen or Williams for one of your WR slots this week.
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