The second week of the NFL begins with an AFC West battle Chargers vs Chiefs on Thursday Night Football. The Los Angeles Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a divisional matchup that could go a long way toward determining who emerges on top of this loaded bunch of contenders, and I’m here to break down the point spread, total and provide my best NFL betting choices and predictions.
Chargers vs Chiefs Week 1 Preview
In Week 1, the Chiefs silenced any naysayers by crushing the Arizona Cardinals by 44 points en route to an easy road victory and cover.
In Week 1, the Bolts appeared to be cruising to an easy victory against the Las Vegas Raiders, but they wasted a 17-3 halftime lead and barely escaped with a 24-19 victory as 3.5-point home favourites.
Chargers vs Chiefs best odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; for a complete list, visit the USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds page. Wednesday, 9:30 p.m. ET, was the most recent update to the lines.
Chargers +170 (wager $100 to win $170); Chiefs -205 (wager $205 to win $100).
Chargers (+4.5) at Chiefs (-4.5) against the spread (ATS) (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 54.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Read more: NFL Week 2 Schedule 2022/23: Preview, Team news & all update
Chargers against Chiefs prediction
If this game’s total is any indication, Patrick Mahomes will throw the ball frequently. The quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs completed 30 of 39 passes during the weekend’s lopsided victory over the Arizona Cardinals, with five touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Cardinals’ secondary was stale in the defensive backfield, so the front seven blitzed on the majority of dropbacks in an attempt to disrupt Patrick Mahomes. All of Arizona’s extra pass rushers resulted in zero sacks. Mahomes decimated the Cards’ man-to-man coverage, especially when Arizona matched linebackers against Kansas City’s fast WRs.
The Chargers secondary is significantly more stingy than Arizona’s.
In Week 1 against the Raiders, the Los Angeles defence performed admirably, allowing -0.148 EPA per dropback, which ranked ninth best among season openers. The ball-hawking secondary of the Bolts also intercepted Derek Carr three times. In addition to these interceptions, Los Angeles had six sacks and five quarterback knockdowns, generating pressure despite blitzing on only 16% of dropbacks. Los Angeles received immediate production from newcomer Khalil Mack, who produced three sacks, and from defensive lineman Joey Bosa, who had 1.5 sacks.
With the Chargers able to rush the quarterback without the need for additional pass rushers, linebackers can drop into zone coverage, plug anything below, and assist the secondary against Mahomes’ Cover-2-heavy defences. As the pocket shrinks, Mahomes will be forced into hurried throws, making the Over 0.5 on his total interceptions at +105 a strong bet.
In the two meetings between the Chargers and Chiefs in 2021, Patrick Mahomes threw three of his 13 total interceptions, including two in a home loss to the Chargers in Week 3 — one of which was a fumbled reception and a fantastic diving interception by Asante Samuel Jr.
How to watch this game:
- Thursday, 8:15 p.m,
- Live Stream on: Paramount+, FuboTV
Nevertheless, this game could turn into a shootout, and the Chargers’ ability to rush Mahomes with the front four and clog those passing lanes, along with the possibility of CB J.C. Jackson’s return (Brandon Staley says 50/50), should cause at least one errant pass from Pat to be intercepted by a Los Angeles defender.
