Betting Picks

Chargers vs Chiefs Odds: TNF NFL Week 15 Betting Preview and Pick

There have been some intriguing matchups on Thursday night this season. However, the NFL has hit a grand slam by slotting Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15 to close out the Thursday schedule for 2018. It’s one of the most important games of the year in the AFC. It will also play a large role in determining the AFC West champion and potential No. 1 seed in the conference. So, let’s take a closer look at the Chargers vs Chiefs odds.

It seems laughable now, but no one outside of the Chiefs coaching staff was sure what the team had in second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes entering 2018. Kansas City had traded away a very solid starter in Alex Smith in the offseason to open the starting spot for Mahomes, who played just one meaningless Week 17 game as a rookie.

The former Texas Tech star announced his presence with authority in Week 1 this year by throwing for 256 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-28 win at the Chargers. Tyreek Hill also was devastating that day with two touchdown catches and a 91-yard punt return for a score. Because of that victory, the Chiefs would win the AFC West with a win Thursday. A Chargers upset puts a few things in flux.

The Chargers vs Chiefs odds have the Chiefs as 3.5-point favorites on the NFL gambling lines for Thursday and will be our against the spread pick. The total is 53.5.

Why Kansas City will cover the Chargers vs Chiefs odds

The Chiefs have run roughshod over the AFC West for several years. They have also won nine in a row against the Chargers. The past four have been by double-digits.

Kansas City became the first AFC team to clinch a playoff spot with Sunday’s come-from-behind 27-24 overtime win over Baltimore. Fantastic game, with Mahomes making perhaps the throw of the year on fourth-and-9 from the Chiefs’ 40 with 1:29 left and Kansas City down a touchdown. Hill caught a Mahomes bullet for 48 yards and it set up a Mahomes-to-Damien Williams 5-yard TD pass on another fourth down to tie the game. Mahomes also had a ridiculous no-look pass in the game and is back as the NFL MVP betting favorite now ahead of Saints QB Drew Brees.

Los Angeles betting notes for Thursday

Mahomes has been spectacular in his MVP-caliber season. Nevertheless, he has yet to play in a game with stakes like this. Chargers QB Philip Rivers, himself having an MVP-worthy season, has plenty of big-game experience.

Los Angeles nearly was caught in a look-ahead game Sunday, escaping against the Cincinnati Bengals 26-21 as 14-point home favorites on the NFL gambling odds. Rivers had thrown for at least two TDs in every game this season but was held to one against Cincinnati. The Chargers played a second straight game without Pro Bowl running back Melvin Gordon due to a knee injury. However, he’s hopeful of returning for this mega-showdown. That takes on added importance because No. 2 back Austin Ekeler was injured late against the Bengals and might not go Thursday.

Kansas City vs. Los Angeles line movement

The NFL odds for this game saw the spread stay steady, but the total opened as high as 56.5 at some books.

Kansas City vs. Los Angeles matchup trends

• The Chargers have won just three of their past 11 night games.
• The Chiefs, on the other hand, are 5-0-1 ATS in their past six games at night.
• Kansas City has won eight straight games against AFC West foes.