Chargers are Slight NFL Betting Underdogs in Week 3 vs. the Chiefs

For the first time in the history of the NFL or AFL, the Kansas City Chiefs will face the “Los Angeles” Chargers. It still sounds odds saying Los Angeles instead of San Diego Chargers doesn’t it? The Bolts have blown two close games this season and are 3-point home dogs in online NFL betting for this one.

Kansas City at LA Chargers Odds, Game Analysis & NFL Betting Pick

“The 🐆 is gone!” ~ @mitchholthus #TBT to the last time we played the Chargers pic.twitter.com/zCiDkAHS7d
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 21, 2017

When: Sunday, 4:25 PM ET Where: StubHub Center TV: CBS Radio: KCFX – FM 101.1 (Kansas) / KFI-AM 640 (LA) Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Betting Lines: Chiefs -3 (47.5)

Weather Forecast

Clear: 26^°C/79^°F
Humidity: 36%
Precipitation: 0%
Wind: 13 mph W
Cloud Cover: 0%
Type of Stadium: Open

Series History

Kansas City has won the last six meetings against the Bolts, owning a 58-55-1 edge in the all-time series. However, the Chargers own a 32-24-1 record against the Chiefs at home.

Total Meetings: 114
First Meeting: September 10th, 1960. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Los Angeles, California
Last Meeting: January 1st, 2017. Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego, California
All-Time Series: Kansas City 58-55-1
Largest Margin of Victory: December 13th, 1964. Balboa Stadium. San Diego, California
Longest Win Streak: Kansas City 6 (2014-2017)
Current Win Streak: Kansas City 6 (2014-2017)

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Why Bet on Kansas City?

The Chiefs (2-0) were expected to be a playoff team at the start of the season, but Kareem Hunt might have Chiefs fans aiming even higher. Hunt’s five scrimmage touchdowns are tied for second most by a player through his first two NFL games. Hunt has taken the NFL by storm, leading the league with 229 rushing yards. He’s done so on just 30 carries, averaging 7.6 yards per carry, with three touchdowns He’s also the only running back with at least two carries over 40 yards. Hunt is also a threat in the passing game, catching eight passes for 126 yards and another pair of TDs. Meanwhile QB Alex Smith is the AFC’s top rated passer (134.1), completing 49 of 63 attempts (77.8%) for 619 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Kansas City comes off a 27-20 win over Philadelphia and Chiefs DT Chris Jones was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 2. Jones had a monster game against the Eagles, registering three sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception, and one batted pass. He did it all while playing just 44% of the snaps. However, center Mitch Morse suffered a foot injury vs. the Eagles and will miss a few weeks. The good news is that Morse doesn’t need surgery. Morse, a second-round pick in 2015, is in his third year as the Chiefs’ starting center. Zach Fulton, a fourth-year pro with experience at the position, is expected to fill in while Morse is out. The Chiefs rank second in total offense (440.5 ypg), fifth in passing (292.0 ypg), second in rushing (148.5 ypg) and second in points (34.5). Kansas City ranks 29th in total defense (388.5 ypg), 27th in passing (273.0 ypg), 20th in rushing (115.5 ypg) and 25th in points allowed (23.5).

Team Statistics

Offense:

Average Score For: 34.50
Total Yards: 440.5
Rush Yards: 148.50
Passing Yards: 292

Defense:

Average Score Against: 23.50
Total Yards: 388.5
Rush Yards: 115.50
Passing Yards: 273

Why Bet on the LA Chargers?

The LA Chargers could easily be 2-0 instead of 0-2 if not for their rookie kicker as Younghoe Koo has missed kicks in consecutive weeks that could have either tied or won a game for his team. Koo pushed a 44-yard field goal attempt wide right that would have defeated the Miami Dolphins this past Sunday. Koo also had a 44-yard attempt blocked that would have tied the game in the Chargers’ season-opening loss to the Denver Broncos. He is 1-for-4 on the season. Coach Anthony Lynn thought about bringing in competition this week but is sticking with the undrafted free agent for now. In that 19-17 loss to the Dolphins, Philip Rivers a new franchise record with his 52nd 300-yard passing performance. He also passed Vinny Testaverde into 11th place in NFL history in career passing yards. Rivers’ 73.6% completion percentage ranks fourth in the NFL. Overall, he’s completed 53 of 72 attempts for 523 yards, four touchdowns and one pick of a 106.4 passer rating. The Bolts remain without top cornerback Jason Verett. He played 63 plays in the team’s opener against the Broncos, but experienced soreness in his surgically repaired knee and missed the last two days of practice last week, with Lynn ruling him out for last Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. Trevor Williams played well in Verrett’s absence vs. Miami, finishing with five tackles — including a tackle for loss — and two pass breakups. The Chargers rank 20th in total offense (308.0 yards per game), ninth in passing (254.0 ypg), 31st in rushing (54.0 ypg) and 18th in points (19.0). Defensively, the Bolts rank 21st in total defense (328.5 ypg), 14th in passing (203.0 ypg), 26th in rushing (125.5 ypg) and 17th in points allowed (21.5).

Team Statistics

Offense:

Average Score For: 19
Total Yards: 308
Rush Yards: 54
Passing Yards: 254

Defense:

Average Score Against: 21.50
Total Yards: 267
Rush Yards: 125
Passing Yards: 203

Latest NFL Betting Trends

Kansas City is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games
Kansas City is 4-1 SU in the last 5 games
The total went OVER in 4 of Kansas City’s last 5 games
LA Chargers is 0-4-1 ATS in the last 5 games
LA Chargers is 0-5 SU in the last 5 games
The total went UNDER in 4 of LA Chargers’s last 6 games

Expert NFL Betting Pick & Prediction

This is a tempting upset pick as the Chargers really are much better than a 2-0 team. I would buy the spread up to 3.5 points and take Los Angeles and parlay with Chiefs on the moneyline to perhaps double up if KC wins by 3 or fewer.