The Kansas City Chiefs (9-4) ride a six-game winning streak into SoFi Stadium on Thursday night, looking for revenge against the Los Angeles Chargers for their Week 3 loss at Arrowhead Stadium. When the teams met back in September, the Kansas City defense was hemorrhaging points; in the Chiefs’ first five games, they gave up no fewer than 25 points. Scoring really wasn’t a problem for the KC offense, but Patrick Mahomes was throwing interceptions at an uncharacteristic rate. Once the Chiefs figured out their defense (and figured out how to move the ball even when opponents were leaving two safeties deep), things started to click. The Chargers (8-5) bounced back from a stretch in which they lost two of three to rout Cincinnati on the road and then roll the Giants at home last week.
Let’s take a closer NFL betting look at this AFC West clash.
NFL Preview: Kansas City Chiefs at L.A. Chargers (Thursday, December 16)
When: Thursday, December 16, 2021, 8:20 pm ET
Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
TV: FOX / NFL Network
Radio: Westwood One
Live Stream: Amazon Prime Video
NFL Odds: Kansas City -3 / O/U 52 // Kansas City -160 / Los Angeles +140
Why should you bet on the Chiefs?
Kansas City has come all the way back from anxiety about making the postseason to the status of one of three teams holding the best record in the AFC. As the Chiefs’ offense has figured out its problems, the team has moved back up to averaging 27 points per game. Patrick Mahomes is averaging 277.9 passing yards per game and threw for 258 yards and two scores in last week’s 48-9 demolition of the Raiders. He went 20 of 24, with four of his passes going to Tyreek Hill. Derrick Core emerged in the running game, rumbling for 66 yards on nine carries and finding the end zone once.
It’s the defense that has stood tall for the Chiefs, though. Their season average for points permitted per game is 20.6, but during this winning streak, they have not permitted more than 17 points in any game, and they have held teams to single digits in four of those wins. Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed should return to the field, but defensive tackle Chris Jones will be out after ending up on the COVID-19 list. If you like the Chiefs, you see their high-flying offense continuing to put up points and their improved defense making life hard for Justin Herbert.
Why should you put your money on the Chargers?
Justin Herbert had a highlight-reel bomb against the Giants that traveled over 60 yards in the air. With that arm alone, he is a game-changing quarterback, and that score was just one of three touchdown passes he had on the day, when he went 23 of 31 for 275 yards. Jalen Guyton caught three of those passes for 87 yards and a score. Tailback Austin Ekeler ran for 67 yards on a dozen carries with a touchdown.
The issues for the Chargers have come on defense, as they permit 25.8 points per game. The Giants scored 21 points in their last game, and if the Giants can put up 21, the Chargers can put up a lot more. If you like the Chargers here, you see their pass rush forcing Mahomes to make a lot of the same mistakes he made earlier in the season.
Final Score and Betting Prediction
The Chiefs look like they are back in business on both sides of the ball, with offense and defense clicking like they were in Kansas City’s Super Bowl title season. The Chargers are a dangerous team, but their path to the playoffs looks like it will start in the wild card round. I predict a final score of Kansas City 34, Los Angeles 27.
Kansas City Chiefs at L.A. Chargers: Bet the Game Today
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