Chargers vs Chiefs NFL Week 15 Odds & Game Preview

The Chargers vs Chiefs is on Thursday night for the 118th time; when they played for the first time in 1960, the Chargers played in San Diego, and the Chiefs were known as the Dallas Texans, and both teams played in the American Football League. Kansas City has a 61-55-1 lead in the series, thanks to a nine-game winning streak; the Chargers have not beaten the Chiefs since 2014; in their meeting out in California this year, the Chiefs rolled to a 38-28 win. This year, the Chargers have put up 10-3 record so far, just a game behind the 11-2 Chiefs, so this week’s contest has major implications for the AFC West title as well as the possibility of securing a bye in the first week of the playoffs. Check out our NFL betting preview for this prime-time clash.

Chargers vs Chiefs NFL Week 15 Odds & Game Preview

#FightForEachOther pic.twitter.com/h80YTZ8tZ2

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) December 11, 2018

When: Thursday, December 13, 2018, 8:20pm ET Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City TV: FOX Radio: Westwood One Live Stream: NFL Live NFL Week 15 Odds: Kansas City -3.5, O/U 53

Why should you bet on the Chargers?

Los Angeles comes in riding a five-game road winning streak and have won three games straight overall. Quarterback Philip Rivers has overcome some of his historical trends of throwing interceptions at just the wrong time, as he only has six picks on the season to go along with 29 touchdown passes and a 69.4% completion rate. Tyrell Williams and Keenan Allen have combined for over 1,600 receiving yards and 11 scores, and Melvin Gordon is having a solid season on the ground, with 802 yards and nine scores. The defense has been particularly impressive, as the Chargers only permit 20.8 points per game. Not only have the Chargers won five straight on the road, but they have covered in four straight road games. They have also covered in five of their last six appearances on Thursday. However, they have failed to cover in any of their last four games against the Chiefs. They have covered in four of their last six games in which they were an underdog by at least three points, and they have a chance to knock a Chiefs team that needed overtime to beat the Baltimore Ravens — with the Ravens led by rookie backup quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Why should you put your money on the Chiefs?

Kansas City has a perfect 6-0 home record this season, as their losses (to New England and the Rams) have come on the road). Patrick Mahomes continues to throw touchdown passes at an amazing clip, with 43 in 13 games, against just 11 interceptions, while he has 4,300 passing yards. The absence of Kareem Hunt, cut by the team for his actions regarding an assault incident, is huge, as Spencer Ware is not nearly the runner that Hunt is. Even so, tight end Travis Kelce and wideouts Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins give Mahomes plenty of options down the field. On defense, the Chiefs give up a lot — 409.6 yards and 27 points per game. Chris Jones is having a solid season rushing the passer, with 11 ½ sacks, but the Chiefs win by outscoring people, not by locking them down. Kansas City has covered the spread in 11 of their last 15 games against AFC foes and in 12 of their last 15 divisional contests. However, they have failed to cover the spread in their last four, as their lack of defense may be catching up to them while opposing defenses are figuring out how to slow the Chiefs’ offense down.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

This will be a terrific game to watch, and I expect a big final score as we saw when the teams met in California earlier this season. However, the Chargers have been putting together a solid stretch of play lately, while cracks have been forming in the Chiefs’ system. I see the Chargers pulling off the road win by the score of 34-30.