PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's NFL Thursday Night Game of the Year
(NFL) Kansas City vs. LA Chargers,
Point Spread: -3.00 | -110.00 Kansas City (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -3.00 | -110.00 Kansas City (Away)
Result: Win
Nearly three months ago, the Chargers and Chiefs played in Kansas City. Justin Herbert threw a TD pass to Mike Williams with 32 seconds left to give LA a 30-24 victory.
Now comes the rematch where if the Chargers win again they would tie the Chiefs for first place in the AFC West Division.
Not going to happen, though. The Chiefs will win and cover this short spread.
I'm very confident writing this. Why? Kansas City is playing its best ball and the Chargers will be missing at least one key player.
I have full confidence in Patrick Mahomes, who is rounding back into his superstar form, and is aided not only by star receivers Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, but a finally-healthy Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The Chargers have given up an average of 26.1 points during their last nine games. They rank 31st in run defense so Edwards-Helaire could produce a big game.
The Chiefs are peaking, unlike when they met the Chargers back in late September. Kansas City has won six in a row, the last four by an average of 21.7 points. No team has produced more than 17 points on the Chiefs during Kansas City's last six games. The Chiefs have allowed exactly nine points in each of their last three games. Linebacker Melvin Ingram has been one of the reasons for the Chiefs' defensive turnaround. He played for the Chargers from 2017-2020. He knows them well.
Remember the name Trey Pipkins III. Who? He's a little used back-up offensive lineman for the Chargers. He's going to start at left tackle - yes the spot where Herbert's blindside is - replacing standout rookie left tackle Rashawn Slater, who is on the COVID-19 reserve list. Pipkins has played only 27 offensive snaps this season.
Usually being the home team for the Thursday night game is a big factor. The Chargers, however, don't have much of a home field advantage because they lack fan support in LA at SoFi Stadium. The short week hurts the Chargers on the injury front. Not only is Slater out, but star running back Austin Ekeler (knee), safety Derwin James (hamstring) and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (hamstring) are all questionable. James is the Chargers' second-leading tackler.
Now comes the rematch where if the Chargers win again they would tie the Chiefs for first place in the AFC West Division.
Not going to happen, though. The Chiefs will win and cover this short spread.
I'm very confident writing this. Why? Kansas City is playing its best ball and the Chargers will be missing at least one key player.
I have full confidence in Patrick Mahomes, who is rounding back into his superstar form, and is aided not only by star receivers Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, but a finally-healthy Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The Chargers have given up an average of 26.1 points during their last nine games. They rank 31st in run defense so Edwards-Helaire could produce a big game.
The Chiefs are peaking, unlike when they met the Chargers back in late September. Kansas City has won six in a row, the last four by an average of 21.7 points. No team has produced more than 17 points on the Chiefs during Kansas City's last six games. The Chiefs have allowed exactly nine points in each of their last three games. Linebacker Melvin Ingram has been one of the reasons for the Chiefs' defensive turnaround. He played for the Chargers from 2017-2020. He knows them well.
Remember the name Trey Pipkins III. Who? He's a little used back-up offensive lineman for the Chargers. He's going to start at left tackle - yes the spot where Herbert's blindside is - replacing standout rookie left tackle Rashawn Slater, who is on the COVID-19 reserve list. Pipkins has played only 27 offensive snaps this season.
Usually being the home team for the Thursday night game is a big factor. The Chargers, however, don't have much of a home field advantage because they lack fan support in LA at SoFi Stadium. The short week hurts the Chargers on the injury front. Not only is Slater out, but star running back Austin Ekeler (knee), safety Derwin James (hamstring) and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (hamstring) are all questionable. James is the Chargers' second-leading tackler.
