The Kansas City Chiefs (14-1) have secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC and will have a first-round bye. As such, they’re resting most key starters when they host the Los Angeles Chargers (6-9) Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 17. Kickoff will be at 4:25 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Chargers-Chiefs betting odds and lines and make our NFL picks and predictions.
Chargers at Chiefs: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 2:28 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Chargers -185 (bet $185 to win $100) | Chiefs +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
- Against the spread/ATS: Chargers -3.5 (-105) | Chiefs +3.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: 43.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Chargers at Chiefs: Game notes
- Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is among the star players sitting out the regular-season finale. He’ll be replaced by backup Chad Henne, who has completed 5 of 6 pass attempts for 30 yards in two brief appearances this year.
- The Chiefs snuck away with a 23-20 overtime win in their Week 2 game against the Chargers. The game marked the debut of Los Angeles rookie QB Justin Herbert, as Week 1 starter Tyrod Taylor was ruled out moments before the game due to a mishap with a pregame injection.
- Herbert is a landslide betting favorite by BetMGM‘s odds to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year at -2000. The No. 6 pick out of Oregon has 4,034 yards and 28 touchdown passes against 10 interceptions. He has another 4 scores on the ground.
- Mahomes is No. 2 by the odds for the AP MVP at +350 (behind Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers’ -400), and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is sixth by the odds for Coach of the Year at +1800.
- Herbert threw for 311 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT in his Week 2 debut against the Chiefs. Mahomes threw for 302 yards and 2 touchdowns in the win and PK Harrison Butker kicked game-tying and game-winning field goals.
- The Chargers have rung up three straight wins over the Atlanta Falcons (20-17), Las Vegas Raiders (30-27, OT) and Denver Broncos (19-16).
- The Chiefs have won three straight and 12 of their last 13 games against the Chargers.
- Kansas City has just one loss since Week 10 of last season.
Chargers at Chiefs: Key injuries
Chargers
- S Jahleel Addae (calf) questionable
- WR Keenan Allen (COVID-19 list) out
- DE Joey Bosa (shin, concussion) questionable
- OT Bryan Bulaga (foot) questionable
- CB Casey Hayward (hamstring) questionable
Chiefs
- RB Le’Veon Bell (knee) questionable
- WR Tyreek Hill (hamstring) questionable
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) doubtful
- WR Sammy Watkins (calf) questionable
Chargers at Chiefs: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Chargers 23, Chiefs 16
Money line (?)
The CHARGERS’ (-185) late-season winning streak will likely prove to be too little too late to save the job of head coach Anthony Lynn, but expect Herbert to end his impressive rookie campaign with a statement win over the Chiefs’ second team.
Against the spread (?)
Better value lies in backing the CHARGERS -3.5 (-105) to win by at least 4 points. They led after the first, second and third quarters in their narrow Week 2 loss against the reigning Super Bowl champs.
Reid will be hiding his best plays in preparation for the playoffs so even the injury-ravaged Chargers defense should have little trouble against a dull attack led by Henne.
Over/Under (?)
A Week 17 slate flush with mostly meaningless games features plenty of low totals, and this is no exception. Stick with the UNDER 43.5 (-115) as the Chiefs will just be trying to drain the clock and get to the AFC Divisional Round at full health.
Want action on this NFL game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- Chargers’ Bradley not thinking about future as job status looms (Chargers Wire)
- Potential 2021 Chiefs draft prospects (Chiefs Wire)
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