Win or lose, the Kansas City Chiefs are slotted into the No. 3 seed for the AFC playoffs next week. But there are plenty of questions as to whether this team has what it takes to reach another Super Bowl.
Will the Los Angeles Chargers, who have lost four in a row, be able to put up any sort of fight in a game that means the end of a frustrating and disappointing season?
Chiefs vs. Chargers Betting Lines, Start Time, and More
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Spread: Chargers -3.5
- Moneyline: Chiefs (+154), Chargers (-185)
- Over/Under: 35
- Game time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: SoFi Stadium
- Channel: CBS
Chiefs vs. Chargers Prediction
Their position in the playoffs set, the Chiefs will not play several of their best players — the biggest being quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Travis Kelce, if he does play, is not expected to be on the field for long in this matchup.
No matter the result, the Chiefs will still have some questions when the playoffs start next week. Most notably, what happened to the team that went into its bye week at 7-2, but is just 3-4 when returning from the bye?
The biggest issue for the Chiefs? The offense. They have their worst total offense (356.4 yards per game) and scoring offense (22.4 points per game) since Mahomes became a starter in 2018.
In what might be the craziest stat of the season, the Chiefs have scored fewer than 20 points in seven games this season. Over the previous five seasons (2018-22), the Chiefs scored fewer than 20 points in six games combined.
While the offense has struggled, the Kansas City defense has been terrific. The Chiefs have the best total defense (285.8 yards per game) and scoring defense (17.6 points per game) since Mahomes became a starter in 2018.
For the Chargers, the biggest question heading into this matchup is whether this is the final game for running back Austin Ekeler in a Chargers uniform. Ekeler, once one of the most versatile running backs in the league, has had a disappointing 2023 season.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
His only 100-yard rushing game came back in Week 1 vs. the Dolphins, and after compiling 1,637 scrimmage yards last season, Ekeler has only 1,015 scrimmage yards this season.
With their playoff position secure, the Chiefs will be resting a number of starters Sunday, including Mahomes. Running back Isiah Pacheco (quad/shoulder) is listed as questionable.
The Chargers will also be without several key starters due to injury, including wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) and linebacker Joey Bosa (foot). In addition, linebacker Kenneth Murray (shoulder) is doubtful to play Sunday.
The Chiefs aren’t exactly heading into the playoffs with a lot of momentum, and that applies to the betting angle as well. Kansas City is just 3-5-1 against the spread over its last nine games.
Los Angeles is not much better from the betting trends aspect, as the Chargers are just 2-5-1 vs. the spread over their last eight games. In addition, they are only 1-4 ATS vs. divisional opponents.
It’s difficult to get a read on a team such as the Chiefs when they are sitting most of their marquee players. You’d like to write how it is important for this team to head into the playoffs with some positive energy, but it doesn’t appear to KC as if that is all that important.
So, because the total is so low, I’m going to take a chance that some points will be scored in this one. With a total of 35, it won’t take a lot to go over.
Best Bet: Over 35 points (-115 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
Our Betting Lines page has the freshest lines and promos to get BANG for your buck. PFN’s FREE Parlay Calculator and Betting Odds Calculator are also available for your betting process! New to sports betting? Check out our guide on How to Bet on the NFL. Visit our Sports Betting Legal Tracker on how to bet legally in the U.S.
