Kansas City Chiefs (2-0 SU, 2-0 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (0-2 SU, 0-1-1 ATS)
NFL Week 3
Date/Time: Sunday, September 24, 2017 at 4:25PM EST
Where: StubHub Center, Carson, California
TV: CBS
by Scott, Expert Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: KC -3/LAC +3
Over/Under Total: 46.5
On Sunday in AFC West action, the Kansas City Chiefs make the trip to south L.A. to take on the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs look to be in pretty good form to start the season, still flexing a clutch and impactful defense, while continuing to add more and more playmaking to the other side of the ball. On Sunday, they beat the Eagles, 27-20. The Chargers have been close; a few field goals from maybe a different story, but still enter this game at 0-2. On Sunday, they blew a close one that came down to the end again with a 19-17 loss to the Dolphins. They look for their first win this Sunday.
After a big road win against the Patriots to start the season, the Chiefs looked good again on Sunday. As is their tendency, they have thrived late in both games, getting better over the course of the contest. Kansas City was even able to do pretty well for themselves when they just had an offense that stressed game management. Now with some guys who can make plays consistently, its thrown a different light onto the team.
Through two weeks, Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith has been fantasticaccurate and clutch. Against the Eagles, the offense languished in the first half, before finally getting things going. After adding a dynamic piece to the equation last season in Tyreek Hill, they look to have found another sparkplug in rookie back Kareem Hunt. In his first two games in the league, he has scored five touchdowns. Throw in one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the business in Travis Kelce and suddenly, the Kansas City offenses ceiling is a lot higher than it once was.
The Chiefs defense has a lot going for it and even with Eric Berry gone for the season, there is still hope. The loss of Berry does make the pass-defense leakier and we saw some of that on Sunday. They will need to be better moving forward, with the Chargers aerial game a good test. A healthy Justin Houston has been big to this teams pass-rush. He had a sack on Sunday, while DE Chris Jones had a transcendent game with three sacks and an interception. Bennie Logan and Dee Ford also registered sacks on the day. This isnt a defense that is going to always provide standout play in terms of being stout and allowing yardage and even points. What they will do is be clutch when they need to be, while making enough big plays along the way to tip things in their favor.
Unfortunately, a change in scenery hasnt changed the fortunes of the long-suffering Chargers. The pattern remains the samemoments of hope followed by the inevitable letdown. In the first two weeks, it was missed field goals as the culprit, both 44-yarders. One was to tie the game against Denver in week one to send it to overtime. And with a chance to beat Miami, another one was missed by rookie Younghoe Koo. And twice, two late-game spurts by Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense were wasted.
The Chargers offense wasnt great against Miami, namely on the ground. As usual, Rivers was effective and had 331 yards while completing 31 of 39 passes. He connected well with Keenan Allen, who had 100 yards. Melvin Gordon and Hunter Henry both caught 7 balls, but Gordon was very quiet on the ground. And Rivers in under pressure a lot with an offensive line that can be very erratic and is always immersed in an injury crisis. Still, theyre a dangerous group with a lot of different ways to make things happen and should make some headway against the Chiefs defense.
Injuries are also a major issue on the other side of the ball for the Chargers. Under ideal conditions or even if just dealing with the league-average of injury issues, theyd be pretty good. But already, theyre starting to see people falling out. Casey Hayward and Jason Verrett could be a dynamic corner tandem, but both are seldom healthy. Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram are a nice pass-rushing duo. The second level is waiting for Denzel Perryman to get back, but Jatavis Brown is big and they got a good game from Hayes Pullard, III. on Sunday. They have allowed a combined 43 points in the first two games.
Its hard betting on the Chargers unless theyre getting a lot of points because more often than not, late-game dramatics will ensue and not go their way. It might seem like simplistic view, but anybody who has watched them regularly over the years knows this. Still, I see their offense giving KC some issues this week, so Im taking the leap-of-faith on the Bolts on Sunday.
Scott’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Im betting on the Los Angeles Chargers plus 3 points. Where are you betting this game? Does your bookie give you the the option to bet on games at -105 odds? NO! He’s charging you -110 (or more!) Sports betting is a game of edges. Don’t let the house get the edge on you! Start betting at discounted odds TODAY at 5Dimes Sportsbook!