The Kansas City Chiefs were set to play the Los Angeles Rams in Mexico City a year ago, but issues with the field surface at Estadio Azteca caused the last-minute movement of the game to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Now the Chiefs are set to head south again for Monday Night Football against the other Los Angeles team in an AFC West bout with the Chargers. After starting the season 4-0, the Chiefs have shot themselves in the collective foot, going just 2-4, losing home games to Indianapolis, Houston and Green Bay and then giving a game to the Titans on the road last week. The defense is inconsistent, and the game management down the stretch (always a crapshoot on teams coached by Andy Reid) has been dreadful. Now they take on a Chargers team that has won two of three, beating Chicago on the road, humiliating Green Bay at home and then losing a tough game last Thursday in Oakland. Two inconsistent teams are set to square off — who will win this divisional showdown? Don’t miss our NFL betting preview.
Chiefs vs Chargers 2019 NFL Week 11 Odds, Preview & Pick
This week, @MJAcostaTV joined @ChiefsReporter to preview Monday night’s matchup between us and the Chargers ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/LItWdU319v
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 15, 2019
- When: Monday, November 18, 8:15 pm ET
- Where: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: Westwood One
- Live Stream: ESPN+
- NFL Odds: Kansas City -4.5 / O/U 52.5
Why should you bet on the Chiefs?
Kansas City saw Patrick Mahomes II return to the field at quarterback this past weekend, and he played a terrific game, going 36 for 50 for 446 yards and three scores. It was the Kansas City defense that put up a stinker, permitting 371 yards of offense, including 225 on the ground, and 35 points. The fact that Ryan Tannehill was able to lead late scoring drives down the field against the Chiefs showed how little commitment they had on defense.
Special teams also plagued Kansas City last week, as they botched one field goal snap, leading to an ugly intentional grounding penalty, and they had another kick blocked. If you like the Chiefs, you see them fixing some of these basic issues, such as defensive and special teams execution, and using their offense to outscore the Chargers. Remember, though, that the elevation in Mexico City is comparable to that in Denver, so both teams may be gassed down the stretch.
Why should you put your money on the Chargers?
The Chargers are getting stellar work out of tailback Melvin Gordon. Against the Raiders, he carried the ball 22 times for 108 yards and a score. Philip Rivers, as is his calling card, was inconsistent, at times helping the team but ultimately costing his team the game, as he went 17 for 31 for 207 yards and a pair of touchdowns — but also three interceptions. The Raiders did not turn the ball over at all, which made a significant difference in the outcome.
Kansas City has only covered twice in their last seven games. The Chargers have covered in five of their last seven games against a team with a record above .500. The Chargers’ passing defense has been unheralded, ranked fifth in the NFL in passing yards permitted per game. The fact that Kansas City allows an average of almost 150 rushing yards per game means that the Chargers should be able to sustain long drives. If you also consider the stout pass rush that the Chargers have — and Mahomes’ lingering ankle issues — this could be a long night for the Chiefs’ signal-caller.
Final Score Prediction
I am a big fan of what Patrick Mahomes has been able to do for the Chiefs. It’s a shame that the team has not been able to stop the run or to put together solid game management in the fourth quarter. I see the chaos in the Chiefs’ system continuing to cause problems, as the Chargers pull off the 30-27 upset, pulling the Chargers closer to contention in the AFC West.
