by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Jan 04, 2024
Game Time: 4:25 pm ET, Sunday, January 7, 2024
Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Where to Watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Chiefs +3.5, Chargers -3.5; Over/Under: 35 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Chiefs +3.5, Chargers -3.5; Over/Under: 35 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Chiefs +3.5, Chargers -3.5; Over/Under: 35 points
Season Record
Kansas City Chiefs: 10-6 (1st place, AFC West)
Los Angeles Chargers: 5-11 (4th place, AFC West)
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Kansas City Chiefs: won their last game at home against the Cincinnati Bengals 25-17.
Los Angeles Chargers: lost their last game on the road against the Denver Broncos 16-9.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers Preview and Analysis
The Chiefs are entering this game with a 10-6 record overall and they have a 3-2 record in their divisional games too. They are 4-4 in their home games, 5-2 in their road games, and they are also 1-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against the Cincinnati Bengals 25-17. Patrick Mahomes was the starting QB and he completed 21/29 passes for 245 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. Isiah Pacheco led the team in rushing yards with 130. Rashee Rice led the receivers with 127 receiving yards on 5 receptions. Nick Bolton led the defense in that game with 9 solo tackles and 4 assisted tackles while Justin Reid led the defense in sacks with 2. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that game.
The Chargers are entering this game with a 5-11 record overall and they have a 1-4 record in their divisional games too. They are 2-6 in their home games, 3-5 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They lost their last game against the Denver Broncos 16-9. Easton Stick was the starting QB and he completed 24/38 passes for 220 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Austin Ekeler led the team in rushing yards with 46. Alex Erickson led the receivers with 98 receiving yards on 7 receptions. Derwin James Jr. led the defense in that game with 7 solo tackles and 5 assisted tackles while Derwin James Jr. and Khalil Mack each led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that game.
Chiefs vs Chargers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Chargers listed as a 3.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Chargers have looked terrible in their games this season with their 5-11 record overall which has them eliminated from playoff contention. They have had a really up and down season with their team plagued by injuries and now the firing of their head coach too. They haven't looked great in their games lately but they have been improving more in each game since leaving the team in the hands of Giff Smith and they still have lots to play for here with Smith looking for a job and Easton Stick trying to prove himself as an NFL QB too. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have looked good in their games this season with their 10-6 record overall which has also won them the AFC West this season, but they haven't looked like the same team that won the Super Bowl last season. They have struggled a lot more in their games this season, even in their wins, and now they are looking ahead to the playoffs so they aren't going to have many starters in this game. The Chargers will be looking to finish the season strong with a win here while the Chiefs are overlooking this game for the playoffs so the Chargers have a really good opportunity to end the season the right way against a much weaker Chiefs lineup that isn't fully focused on this game. The best way to place a bet here is on the Chargers to cover the spread in this game.
Chiefs Chargers Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, January 7, 2024 (4:25 pm ET start time) is Chargers 24 Chiefs 17.
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NFL Betting Trends
Kansas City Chiefs: 7-2 ATS off 1 or more consecutive unders. 6-3 ATS after a 2 game home stand. 11-5 UNDER in all games. 6-3 UNDER after 1 or more consecutive wins. 11-5 UNDER after outgaining opp by 100 or more total yards in their previous game.
Los Angeles Chargers: 5-10 ATS in all games. 4-9 ATS as a home favorite of 7 points or less. 3-6 ATS off 1 or more consecutive unders. 10-5 UNDER in all games. 11-6 UNDER versus division opponents. 7-2 UNDER off 1 or more consecutive unders.
Key Injuries
Kansas City Chiefs: B. Bell (TE) Prob Sun - Finger. L. Sneed (CB) Ques Sun - Calf. C. Jones (DT) Ques Sun - Groin. R. Rice (WR) Ques Sun - Hamstring. T. Kelce (TE) Ques Sun - Neck. I. Pacheco (RB) Ques Sun - Quadricep. P. Mahomes (QB) Out Sun - Rest. D. Smith (OT) Ques Sun - Neck. N. Remigio (WR) Ques Sun - Foot. K. Toney (WR) Ques Sun - Hip. C. Edwards-Helaire (RB) Ques Sun - Illness. J. McKinnon (RB) Out indefinitely - Groin. B. Cook (S) Out indefinitely - Ankle. S. Moore (WR) Out indefinitely - Knee. B. Thompson (DE) Out indefinitely - Hamstring. P. Wanogho (OT) Out indefinitely - Quadricep. J. Fortson (TE) I-R - Shoulder. N. Johnson (S) I-R - Knee.
Los Angeles Chargers: T. Muse (LB) Ques Sun - Knee. J. Bosa (LB) Ques Sun - Foot. D. Parham Jr. (TE) Ques Sun - Shoulder. K. Allen (WR) Ques Sun - Heel. K. Murray Jr. (LB) Ques Sun - Shoulder. J. Palmer (WR) Ques Sun - Concussion. Z. Johnson (G) Ques Sun - Neck. N. Williams (DL) Ques Sun - Shoulder. W. Clapp (C) I-R - Knee. J. Herbert (QB) I-R - Finger. Z. Bailey (OT) Out indefinitely - Back. C. Rumph II (LB) Out indefinitely - Foot. M. Williams (WR) I-R - Knee. R. Layne (S) Out indefinitely - Knee. C. Linsley (C) Out indefinitely - Illness.
Notable Quotes
“Everybody contributed in this, which I think was great. Nobody gave up hope. The guys executed well, and that is the most important thing right now, at this time of year.” - Andy Reid after his team’s win against the Bengals in their last game.
“I’m just really frustrated and I think we all are, because we don’t have the results. Right now, we’re not winning football games and that hurts.” - Easton Stick after their loss against the Broncos in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Kansas City Chiefs
WR Watson, Justin
WR Valdes-Scantling, Marquez
WR Rice, Rashee
TE Kelce, Travis
QB Mahomes, Patrick
RB Pacheco, Isiah
Los Angeles Chargers
WR Johnston, Quentin
WR Palmer, Joshua
WR Allen, Keenan
TE Everett, Gerald
QB Stick, Easton
RB Ekeler, Austin
Statistical Leaders
Kansas City Chiefs
Passing: P. Mahomes (4183)
Rushing: I. Pacheco (935)
Receiving: T. Kelce (984)
Touchdowns: I. Pacheco (9)
Los Angeles Chargers
Passing: J. Herbert (3134)
Rushing: A. Ekeler (617)
Receiving: K. Allen (1243)
Touchdowns: K. Allen (7)
Coaches:
Kansas City Chiefs: Andy Reid (11th season)
Los Angeles Chargers: Giff Smith (Interim)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
