Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11)
As the NFL regular season reaches its climax in Week 18, a pivotal showdown looms between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers. Set to unfold on Sunday, this clash at the SoFi Stadium promises to be a riveting encounter, with playoff implications on the line for Kansas City. Football enthusiasts and bettors alike are eagerly anticipating this matchup, scouring for free Super Bowl picks to guide their wagers.
The Kansas City Chiefs have managed a respectable 10-6 record this season and showcased a versatile offense. Led by Justin Watson’s 27 receptions for 460 yards and three touchdowns, their receiver corps has been an outstanding feature this year. Mecole Hardman Jr has contributed in limited appearances, adding agility and speed to their passing game and offering another dimension of attack for them to exploit.
Los Angeles Chargers have shown glimpses of brilliance despite their disappointing 5-11 record, particularly their passing game. Easton Stick, their quarterback, has completed 65.4% of his attempts for 871 yards and three touchdowns; his ability to connect on deep throws while keeping his completion rate high has been an unexpected highlight in an otherwise challenging season. Joshua Kelley’s steady ground game provides balance for their offensive attack – providing consistent ground coverage at 404 rushing yards and two scores from their running game alone.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers Game Info
| When: | Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 4:25 PM ET |
| Where: | SoFi Stadium |
| TV: | CBS |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Blaine Gabbert QB vs. Easton Stick QB
Blaine Gabbert has been in the NFL since 2011, yet only started 55 career games as a backup position player. Patrick Mahomes’ absence forced Gabbert into two starts this year for Kansas City; during which he completed three passes for 31 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns for an awful 38.3 passer rating; taking no sacks while failing to mount any scoring drives either way. These statistics may seem dismal but Gabbert has performed better when called upon elsewhere such as Arizona or Tennessee in previous seasons.
Easton Stick has attempted 127 passes for the Chargers during their four starts without top quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Chase Daniel due to injuries, and completed 65.4 percent of those attempts for 871 yards; throwing three touchdowns against one interception; taking 11 sacks; this yields an 89.7 passer rating – each start showing gradual improvements, culminating in 21-of-33 completions for 230 yards and two touchdowns last week.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles Chargers -180, Total Odds: 35
The betting odds favor the Los Angeles Chargers, reflecting their home-field advantage and the Chiefs’ struggles with quarterback play. The point spread set at -3.5 for the Chargers suggests a close game, with the total points expected to be low, indicating a defensively dominant game.
Kansas City Chiefs Betting Trends
The Chiefs are 14-6 straight up in their last 20 overall, establishing themselves as one of the NFL’s premier franchises. More impressively, they are 16-3 SU against the Chargers in the past 19 meetings. Even as road underdogs here, KC is still 8-0 SU in their last 8 trips to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Chargers Betting Trends
The Chargers have been terrible down the stretch, going 1-7 SU over the last 8 games. Especially troubling, LA is 1-5 straight up over their last 6 home contests. When facing KC, the struggles amplify, with the Chargers 0-8 SU in the past 8 home games vs the Chiefs. LA has also gone under in 7 of 9 games against AFC opponents.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers 1/7/24 Betting Picks
Analyzing the stats and trends, this game appears to be a defensive battle, with both teams struggling offensively. The Chiefs, despite their quarterback woes, have a potent defense and a better overall record. On the other hand, the Chargers, led by Stick’s promising play, could capitalize on their home-field advantage.
In terms of betting, the better pick seems to be the Chiefs, given their track record against the Chargers. Prop bets could revolve around defense and low scoring. The over/under is set at 35, leaning towards the UNDER given both teams’ recent trends. Bettors looking for value should also consider exploring the best sportsbooks for additional betting options and odds.
