Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs Preview (9/15/22): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs Betting Odds

The Los Angeles Chargers come into Kansas City as 3.5-point underdogs against the Chiefs. The total is set at 54.5 too, and based on these offenses you can see why. The Chargers struggled a bit in the second half on offense in Week 1, but the Chiefs had no issues moving the ball against Arizona, so the total definitely makes sense here. The spread is a bit surprising too just because Arrowhead is such a hard place to play, so it says oddsmakers have a lot of respect for the Chargers even in one of the harder places to play in the league.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs Prediction

This game is a matchup between two of the few Super Bowl contenders this year, and it’s also apart of the gauntlet that is the AFC West this year too. If you want a great bet here, the no brainer to me seems like it’s to take the over 54.5, because these offenses are going to be firing on all cylinders all year and this game should be a perfect example of that. If you want to go spread the best idea would be to go with the Chargers at +3.5-points because this game is most likely going to be close the whole time, so banking on a Chiefs win of at least 3 points makes a lot of sense in this spot. I really love the over here the most, and I expect both offenses to have a field day, especially the quarterbacks. Patrick Mahomes threw five touchdowns last week, and Justin Herbert threw three touchdowns for the Chargers, and when you get quarterback gunslingers like this on each side, you know that the scoreboard is going to get lit up. Expect points here and also expect a really close game that the Chargers have a great chance to cover.

Betting Trends

Chargers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Thursday games.

Chiefs are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games.

Over is 8-1 in Chiefs last 9 games overall.

Over is 4-0 in Chargers last 4 Thursday games.

Key Injuries

Los Angeles Chargers Injuries: CB J.C. Jackson (Ankle) O, TE Donald Parnham (Hamstring), LB Drue Tranquill (Back) P

Kansas City Chiefs Injuries: DE Frank Clark (Illness) Q, TE Blake Bell (Hip) O, WR Justyn Ross (Foot) O

Key Matchups

The Chiefs Offensive Line vs the Chargers Defensive Front

The Chargers revamped their defense this past off-season and it started with bringing in Khalil Mack to start off the edge, opposite Joey Bosa on the other side. His impact was immediate against the Raiders where he finished with 3 sacks in his first game. Defenses now have to be concerned about both edges because Joey Bosa also added in 1.5 sacks last week too. The Chiefs have always had a very consistent offensive line, and Mahomes is a magician with the ball sometimes when he escapes, but Khalil Mack adds a whole new element for the defensive front that Los Angeles has not had before.

Justin Herbert vs Chiefs Secondary

The Chiefs defense has been a roller coaster ever since Patrick Mahomes first started playing quarterback there and this year is no different. The area that has consistently been picked on is the secondary and with the loss of Tyrann Mathieu, it’s going to struggle again, maybe more. The secondary held its own against the Cardinals in Week 1, but they were also missing their no. 1 receiver for the first few games. Justin Herbert is a real test for this secondary, and I don’t know if we have the evidence available that they are up to the challenge.

Los Angeles Chargers Depth Chart

QB: Justin Herbert
RB1: Austin Ekeler
RB2: Joshua Kelley
LWR: Mike Williams
RWR: Joshua Palmer
SWR: Keenan Allen
TE1: Gerald Everett

Kansas City Chiefs Depth Chart

QB: Patrick Mahomes
RB1: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
RB2: Jerick McKinnon
LWR: Marquez Valdes-Scantling
RWR: Mecole Hardman
SWR: JuJu Smith-Schuster
TE1: Travis Kelce