In what some consider to be an AFC Conference Final preview, the Chargers will travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Chiefs.
Let’s analyze this matchup and remember you can also check our NFL computer picks!
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Thursday, September 15, 2022 – 8:15 PM EDT at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Spread: Chiefs -3 (-115) at BetMGM
Over/Under: 53.5 (-115) at FanDuel
Herbert for MVP?
Justin Herbert picked up where he left off last year with another dazzling performance to open the 2022 season. The sixth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft connected on 26-of-34 for 279 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-19 Week 1 victory over the Raiders.
Fortunately for the Chargers, Herbert and his aerial assault proved more than enough to overcome their lackluster rushing attack that garnered only 76 yards, with Austin Ekeler the top runner with just 36 yards on 14 carries and no touchdowns
Keeping It Clean
And while Herbert kept his uniform clean throughout due to solid protection from his offensive line, the same cannot be said for Derek Carr who was sacked five times and intercepted on three occasions. The Bolts’ defense came up big and held the Raiders’ lead running back, Josh Jacobs, to just 57 yards and no touchdowns.
“I thought the defense played really well throughout the game. They came up with some big plays when we needed it the most. I think a great thing that we do is we’re able to shuffle guys around and play multiple positions. We had some receivers step up,” said Herbert.
Mahomes Shines in Season Debut
Patrick Mahomes made a bold statement in his Week 1 assault against the Cardinals defense – no Tyreek, no problem. As we all know, Tyreek Hill is no longer plying his trade in Kansas City after getting traded to the Dolphins in the offseason. But that didn’t seem to impact the prolific Chiefs’ passing attack as Mahomes torched the Arizona defensive secondary for 360 yards and five touchdowns.
Mahomes has been untouchable in opening day games, going 5-0 with 18 passing TDs and no interceptions. “I’m just a guy from Texas Tech they said couldn’t play in the NFL,” Mahomes said. “I’ve always had that mindset of proving we’re the Kansas City Chiefs, we still can win the AFC Championship, win the AFC West and win the Super Bowl.”
Mahomes connected on 30-of-39 passes and tight end extraordinaire, Travis Kelce, caught eight of them for 121 yards and a touchdown. “We always believed we were going to go out there and put on a show,” Mahomes said. “Guys did that.”
The Pick
The NFL odds at all of the best U.S. licensed online sportsbooks are dealing the Chiefs as 3 to 3 ½ point favorites as a very early opening line. The absolute destruction Mahomes left in his wake is certain to catch the attention of the betting public and this line could drift to 4 or even higher by the time this game kicks.
But we should recall that the Chargers defeated the Chiefs in their own sandbox last year by the score of 30-24. However, the Chiefs returned the favor later on in the year when they beat the Bolts, 34-28, in overtime. These are two of the top teams in the AFC and it will likely be a shootout between two of the league’s most lethal gunslingers.
Although we might like to wait a bit on this line, we will still grab the 3 ½ with the Chargers and put a wager on over 53 ½ as well. Let’s double dip and cash a pair of tickets in this Thursday night showdown.
NFL Pick: Chargers +3 ½ (-115) at Caesars Sportsbook
NFL Pick: Over 53 ½ (-106) at FanDuel
