In spite of both teams’ best efforts, the Los Angeles Chargers (7-6) vs the Kansas City Chiefs (7-6) at Arrowhead Stadium Saturday night is a game that really matters. The Chiefs currently control the AFC West by a thread in spite of losing six of their last eight games. The Chargers made the worst head coaching hire of the off-season in Anthony Lynn, yet thanks to an AFC-wide garbage pile after the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, they’re not only still alive, but can take over the AFC West with a win and have a game advantage with just two to go.
It’s a crazy scene, man.
If you want to watch this one, tune into the NFL Network at 8:30 p.m. EST Saturday night. It should legitimately be good.
The Game: Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (+1)
O/U: 46.0
The History
The Chiefs and Chargers have faced off 115 times since 1960. Kansas City leads the all time series 59-55-1.
Kansas City’s dominance in the series is a recent event. Even though they only hold a four-game lead in the series, the Chiefs have won their last seven match ups with the Chargers.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (7-6)
The Chargers roll into this game on a four game winning streak that’s put them right into the playoff hunt and potentially ruined everything for the Chiefs. Last Sunday against the Washington Redskins in a 30-13 win, Philip Rivers showed why he’s been wasted with this organization for a decade and a half, completing 18-of-31 for 319 yards, two touchdowns and no picks.
It was such a dominating performance against a decent team, no less, that Rivers got to watch a lot of the fourth quarter on the sidelines. Kellen Clemens got to throw a few passes, for God’s sake. That alone should count this game as a massacre.
Running back Melvin Gordon put up some solid fantasy numbers, rushing 22 times for 78 yards and a touchdown. Los Angeles put two receivers over the century mark in the game, with Tyrell Williams catching four passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. Keenan Allen had six grabs for 111 yards. Hunter Henry hauled in four balls for 50 yards and a TD.
The Chargers have fielded an underrated defensive unit for years. They might be the real reason L.A. has found itself with a winning record with three games to go in the season. Last week they sacked Kirk Cousins twice, got four stops in the backfield and picked him off once. They held Washington to just nine first downs in the entire game, 2-for-12 on third downs and 201 total yards.
Los Angeles’ injury report has only one name of note on it. Tight End Antonio Gates didn’t practice Wednesday, but it was probably just a rest day for an older guy.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (7-6)
If you had fallen into a coma after the first five weeks of the season and had just now come to, you would have every reason to think the Chiefs had suffered a massive slate of injuries, including quarterback Alex Smith and running back Kareem Hunt. You would, of course, be wrong.
Nope, the Chiefs decided to suck all on their own with the full power of their roster behind them. Before last Sunday’s 26-15 victory over the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City had dropped four straight. And these weren’t playoff caliber opponents the Chiefs were losing to. They dropped games to the New York Giants and New York Jets in there. It was pathetic.
The AFC is such a flaming pile of adult diapers that losing four straight and six of their last eight games did absolutely nothing to the Chiefs’ playoff chances or division dominance. They’ve still led the AFC West the whole way.
The Pick
The Chiefs’ swoon this season may one day deserve its own 30 for 30 episode. It came out of nowhere with no rhyme or reason and just continues forward, like some sort of medieval plague. Will it be enough for Los Angeles to catch them? It shouldn’t be, especially with Lynn calling the shots against Andy Reid. Chiefs 27, Chargers 19
Last week
Straight up: 8-8
Against the spread: 6-10
Season
Straight up: 125-83
Against the spread: 107-101
To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
