Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers: Bolts 7-Point Favorites in NFL Odds

Jeff Gross/Getty ImagesThe San Diego Chargers (6-6) host the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) Sunday in what is a must win game for the Bolts.After four straight wins and a game against Oakland up next, it appeared San Diego would be in position to tie the Chiefs for first place in the division Indianapolis Colts jersey
when the two teams met in Week 14. Oakland made sure that was not the case.The Raiders shocked 13-point favorite San Diego to give the Chiefs another game of breathing room with just four to play.If San Diego goes down Sunday, it would see its string of four straight division titles come to an end. Fortunately, NFL odds makers expect San Diego to bounce back strong, listing the Chargers as seven-point favorites with the total set at 47.Kansas City won the season’s first meeting as it racked up 135 yards rushing on 5.2 yards per carry. The Chiefs have not quit running the football since. They now lead the league in rushing with 175.2 yards per game.San Diego must slow down Kansas City’s running attack to have a chance, which won’t happen if the defense plays the way it did last week. Against the Raiders, San Diego allowed 251 yards rushing on 4.8 yards per carry. That’s just not going to get it done.The Chiefs rushed for 185 yards on 4.7 yards per tote in their win over Denver last Sunday.Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesThe Chiefs have been a good investment when catching points. In fact, they are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games as an underdog.Statistically, San Diego is one of the elite teams incheap nfl jerseys
the NFL. It ranks second in total offense (397.4) and first in total defense (281.4). The Chargers, however, have fallen victim to poor special teams play and costly turnovers.If they take care of the football and play well on special teams, they should have an excellent opportunity to keep their playoff hopes alive.San Diego was torched on the ground last week, but it has proven that it can stop the run. In fact, the Chargers rank fifth in the league in run defense, yielding only 95.2 yards per game on the ground.In the season’s first meeting San Diego outgained Kansas City 389-197, but it didn’t take care of business on special teams. A Dexter McCluster punt return proved to be the difference in the game.Defensively, the Chiefs have struggled to defend the pass. That may spell trouble against Philip Rivers and the league’s second-best passing attack. The Chiefs rank 21st in the NFL with 233.1 yards per game through the air allowed. The Chargers are gaining 291.8 yards Minnesota Vikings jersey
passing per game.It is worth noting that San Diego is a perfect 6-0 against the spread in its last six games versus good offensive teams averaging 5.65 or more yards per play in the second half of the season. It is defeating these teams by 13.3 points on average.Visit our site every football season for expert NFL picks from the top-rated handicappers in the business!