Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers Preview
Where: Qualcomm Stadium — San Diego, CA
When: Sunday, January 1, 2017 – 4:25 PM ET
Line: Kansas City Chiefs (-4.5) at San Diego Chargers (+4.5); total: 45.0 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
NFL News and Previews
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- Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Preview - October 1, 2017
- Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots Preview - October 1, 2017
- 2017 NFL Week 4 Picks and Predictions
Betting on the Kansas City Chiefs (-4.5)
With the win over the Denver Broncos Sunday night, the Chiefs remained as the only NFL team to be undefeated in their division this season. They maintained that feat convincingly, as they beat the defending champs to a pulp, 33-10.
Sensational rookie receiver Tyreek Hill and Pro Bowl-bound Travis Kelce smoked the opposition. In the final five minutes of the first quarter, the two had a 70-yard and 80-yard score, respectively. Hill was once again used in the backfield and had six carries for 95 yards, while Kelce had 11 catches for 160 yards, which are all career-highs for both players.
Against the Chargers this coming week, who are coming off a demoralizing loss to the Cleveland Browns, they should be able to continue their great showing. They should be joined by back Spencer Ware, who only needs 79 yards to record his first 1,000-yard season.
The Chiefs have great memories of their last matchup with the Bolts, as they erased a 21-point deficit to win it in OT, 33-27. Ware was the star of the game, gaining 199 yards from scrimmage, although Alex Smith also did a good job driving the team with his 363 passing yards and two TD tosses.
On defense, look for yet another efficient game from Justin Houston, Eric Berry, Marcus Peters, and the entire unit. They may give up the ninth-highest total YPG (366.5), but they only allow 18.3 PPG, which is fifth-fewest in the league. The same goes on defending the pass – they are 27th in sacks and 16th in yards allowed (245.9 per game), but they are fifth in interceptions and third in completion rate (58.9 percent).
The Chiefs have won five straight games on the road (5-0 ATS)
Betting on the San Diego Chargers (+4.5)
If the Chargers’ body language for Week 17 looks off, don’t blame them. They are out of the playoffs for the third straight season (six out of the last seven years) and just lost to a Cleveland Browns team that came in 0-14.
Also, they will be entering the game with two skids – a four-game losing streak in the current season and a five-game losing streak to the Chiefs. The odds are really against them.
The Chargers are 10th in the league in scoring (25.5 PPG), sixth in passing offense (3,929 yards) and fourth in passing touchdowns (31), but have struggled in their last four, as they have only posted 17 points or less in three of those contests. Philip Rivers is also in one of the worst stretches of his career. In that said span, he is only completing 53.9-percent of his passes, while having a 74.5 passer rating. He has thrown a pick in each of his last six games and has a league-leading 19 interceptions.
For Week 17, expect the offense to throw more, since Kenneth Farrow, who’s their fifth starting back this season, also got hit with the injury bug (shoulder).
As for the defense, it’s the run they may want to focus more. The ground D is 11th in the league (allowing 97.6 YPG), but they have given up 100 or more rushing yards in five of their last six games, while the Chiefs have ran for 120 or more in three of their last four.
The Chargers are 2-5 SU and 3-4 ATS against the Chiefs since 2013 (Mike McCoy and Andy Reid’s first-year with these two teams).
Writer’s Prediction
The Chiefs (-4.5) win, 28-21.
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