The Kansas City Chiefs (3-0, 2-1 ATS, 2-1 O/U) are set to face off against the Los Angeles Chargers (2-1, 2-1 ATS, 0-3 O/U) in an exciting AFC matchup this Sunday afternoon. The Chiefs secured a road victory against the Falcons last week, while the Chargers suffered a defeat at the hands of the Steelers. Last season, the Chiefs had a strong performance against the Chargers, winning both encounters.
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Kansas City Chiefs: A Quest for Perfection
The Kansas City Chiefs continue their undefeated streak, having triumphed over formidable opponents. They kicked off the season with a victory at home against the Ravens and narrowly edged out the Bengals with a 26-25 win. Most recently, they grabbed a 22-17 win over the Falcons in a game where they were favored by three points. So far, Kansas City has managed to cover the spread in two of their three contests.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has faced some challenges this season, failing to surpass 218 passing yards in two out of three games. In the last outing, he threw for 217 yards, bringing his season total to 659 yards along with a 5:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Running back Isiah Pacheco is currently on injured reserve, creating a significant gap in the lineup. Carson Steeler is expected to take on more responsibilities in the backfield, having accumulated 99 rushing yards at an average of 4.2 yards per carry. Meanwhile, wide receiver Rashee Rice has emerged as a standout player, consistently recording at least 100 receiving yards in two of three games, totaling 288 yards overall. The Chiefs’ offense has averaged 328 total yards per game so far.
On the defensive side, Kansas City has had a mixed performance. They struggled against the Ravens in the opener and allowed 320 total yards to the Bengals. However, they bounced back last week against the Falcons, limiting them to just 311 yards. The pass defense has been particularly vulnerable, ranking 28th in the league, while the rush defense has held its ground at 15th.
Kansas City averages 25 points per game, placing them eighth in the league, while their defense concedes an average of 20.7 points, ranking them 16th.
Los Angeles Chargers: Recovering from a Setback
The Los Angeles Chargers return home after two consecutive road contests. They began the season strongly with a 2-0 record, defeating the Raiders in their home opener and dominating the Panthers 26-3 in week two. However, their last outing ended in disappointment with a 20-10 defeat against the Steelers, where they were 2.5-point underdogs. The Chargers have covered the spread in only one of their three games.
Quarterback Justin Herbert has struggled to find his rhythm, recording under 150 passing yards in all three games. He left last week’s match early due to an ankle injury and is currently listed as questionable. His season stats include 399 passing yards and a 4:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. If he cannot play, veteran Taylor Heinicke is expected to step in, having thrown for 890 yards last season with a 5:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
The Chargers have leaned heavily on their running game. Running back J.K. Dobbins recorded over 130 rushing yards in his first two games but faced challenges last week with an average of only 2.9 yards per carry, totaling 310 rushing yards this season. Wide receiver Quentin Johnston leads the team in targets, achieving 51 yards against the Panthers and totaling 133 receiving yards. Overall, the Chargers’ offense has been underwhelming, scoring 22 or fewer points in two of their three games, ranking 25th in total yards per game.
Los Angeles’s defense has been its strong point, effectively containing both the Raiders and Panthers in their early games. However, their performance dipped last week as they allowed 346 total yards, including 245 passing yards. Defensive end Joey Bosa is dealing with a hip injury and is listed as questionable, while safety Derwin James is suspended for this matchup. The Chargers’ pass defense is ranked 10th, while their rush defense holds the sixth spot.
The Chargers average 19.3 points per game, placing them 18th in scoring, while their defense has limited opponents to just 11 points per game, ranking them third in the league.
Best Bets for Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Kansas City Chiefs remain unbeaten, yet their defense has shown signs of vulnerability. They have played in several close games so far. The Los Angeles Chargers have won two out of three games, with their only loss occurring last week when Herbert was injured. He is currently questionable, but there is a good chance he will play.
Additionally, the Chiefs have struggled in pass defense, currently ranking 30th in the NFL. On the other hand, Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins has been impressive, rushing for a total of 310 yards in three games, while the Chiefs’ run defense sits at a middle-of-the-pack ranking of 14th. Overall, the Chargers possess a more reliable defense, which could keep them competitive in this matchup. They rank highly in several defensive categories, making it a challenging game for Mahomes against a pass defense that averages only 175 passing yards allowed per game.
