The Kansas City Chiefs got beaten up pretty good in the Super Bowl. And when a franchise has has had as much success as they’ve had recently, that’s the kind of thing you have to respond to.
The Los Angeles Chargers experienced some degree of success last season. In fact, they made the playoffs in Jim Harbaugh’s first year at the helm.
The Chiefs and Chargers will tangle in an AFC West matchup to kick off the season for both sides. It’s a Friday night tilt (Sept. 5) at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Pointspread odds for NFL Week 1 between the Chiefs and Chargers
Odds come from the people at MyBookie:
- Kansas City Chiefs -2.5
- Los Angeles Chargers +2.5
- Over 45.5 Points -110
- Under 45.5 Points -110
About the Kansas City Chiefs
When you lose 40-22 in the Super Bowl, as the Chiefs did against the Philadelphia Eagles, questions emerge. And some of those questions revolved around the offensive line. This unit was simply not strong at the tackle positions. And coach Andy Reid had to move Pro Bowl guard Joe Thuney to tackle as a patchwork solution.
Thuney is gone now, and Kansas City feels it may have a long-term answer with first-round pick Josh Simmons, who played for Ohio State last year until an injury to his patellar tendon ended his season. He’s a big talent, so if he is determined to be ready for this game it could change things.
Patrick Mahomes could really use more time to throw the ball, if for no other reason than that it opens up more possibilities because can stretch the field more. Last year his passes traveled an average of 6.2 yards beyond the scrimmage line, and that was 34th in the league.
He would also like to have all his wide receivers healthy at the same time. Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy are capable of opening things up for Mahomes, and so is Rashee Rice. But Rice may have to serve a suspension after a guilty verdict and five-year probation and 30 days of jail for his involvement in a car accident.
The Chiefs were fourth-best in the NFL in points allowed. And that’s a credit to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. He’s got one of the great D-linemen in the game in Chris Jones and outstanding linebackers in Drue Tranquill and Nick Bolton.
Trent McDuffie is an elite corner, and Jaylen Watson is a very strong second guy there. Kristian Fulton is a new addition. And he’s a former Charger.
About the Los Angeles Chargers
To use an oft-beaten term, Jim Harbaugh came in and did a good job of “changing the culture” with the Bolts last season. His tenure got off to a good start, as the team made the playoffs as a wild card.
The Chargers did not turn the ball over much. Quarterback Justin Herbert threw only three interceptions, and that fits right in with what Harbaugh wants to do. When you have an offensive coordinator like Greg Roman, you seek to make your living running the football. And the team went and found a nice tandem.
Najee Harris, who carried the ball a lot in Pittsburgh, is now the resident workhorse. And first-round draft choice Omarion Hampton runs – if you pardon the pun – like a bolt of lightning. The offensive line features two outstanding tackles in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, as well as Mekhi Becton, who just came from Philly in free agency. So this could work. And are there many ball control receivers as good as Ladd McConkey?
What’s a concern is that they may not get much of a pass rush. Joey Bosa was let go, and there isn’t really someone to pick up the slack. They’ll have to get what they can out of linebackers Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipoluto.
Chiefs at Chargers NFL pointspread pick
Will the Chiefs’ O-line be ready for prime time? That’s a good question. And a full set of receivers is an iffy proposition. They still rule this division, but it’s not inconceivable that the Chargers could gain some ground this year.
We keep in mind that the Chiefs did not exceed 30 points even once during the 2024 regular season. That, coupled with what we expect will be a rather conservative offensive approach from the Chargers, leads us in the direction of an UNDER in this game.
THE PLAY: UNDER 45.5 (-110)
