Free NFL Prediction: Chargers vs Chiefs Odds
Looking for San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs free picks? Week 1 NFL betting sees the Chargers taking on the Chiefs on Sunday September 11th at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NFL season long so stay tuned for more FREE NFL predictions.
Week 1
San Diego Chargers (0-0) at Kansas City Chiefs (0-0)
Date: Saturday September 11th
Time: 1:00 PM
Venue: Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri
ATS Betting Lines: Kansas City Chiefs -7
NFL Moneyline Odds: Chiefs (off)
NFL Betting Total: 44.5
Live NFL Odds
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This opening week divisional matchup features the Chiefs looking to continue their success from last season while the Chargers look to forget last season and compete in the wide open AFC West.
With the defending champion Broncos losing Peyton Manning to retirement and Brock Osweiler to free agency, they will start Trevor Sieman. All four teams in the division have to be thinking they can compete for the divisional title.
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Philip Rivers brings a 13-8 career record against the Chiefs into Week 1 but lost both meetings last season with the Chargers only scoring 6 points combined in the two matchups.
San Diego Chargers
Rivers might be 13-8 all-time against the Chiefs but playing in Arrowhead is no easy task. Rivers has historically struggled on the road with a .700 winning percentage at home and just a .481 winning percentage on the road.
Rivers also plays much better later in the season with a .641 winning percentage in games in November, December, and January but only a .493 winning percentage in games in September and October.
The Chargers went 4-12 last season – getting the number 3 overall pick.
They took Joey Bosa to improve their 24th ranked pass rush but failed to negotiate a contract until August 29th. I would be surprised to see Bosa at all in Week 1 and if we do, it will likely be just a handful of times on third down.
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The Chargers biggest weaknesses in 2015 were their pass rush and their offensive line. Rivers was sacked 40 times in 2015.
The Chargers did very little to improve their offensive line and lost Branden Oliver for the season – one of their best running back pass protectors.
Melvin Gordon failed to reach expectations last season which in part could have been due to the offensive line.
As good as Rivers can be at times, if the Chargers can’t run the football at all, they have trouble scoring points.
However, Rivers hasn’t really had a great running game since Tomlinson left and he’s been able to make up for it from time to time.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were the 9th ranked pass defense last season and the 8th ranked run defense. They were 3rd in scoring defense and 4th in sacks.
They were 5th in takeaways and 2nd in overall turnover differential.
If the phrase defense wins championship holds true, the Chiefs are looking good.
A 27-20 loss to the Patriots in the Divisional Round kept them from a shot at their division rival Broncos in the AFC Championship.
With their defensive stars aging and Jamaal Charles’ running back clock ticking, the window for the Chiefs is beginning to close.
Alex Smith doesn’t put up the stats that other top quarterbacks do but simply to call him a “game manager” – as he is often referred to as – is disrespectful.
Efficient is what Smith is. With just a 1.5% interception rate last season, Smith does nothing to take the Chiefs out of the game. He is smart, has a quick release, and uses all of his weapons.
Jeremy Maclin and Travis Kelce were his main targets in 2015 (157 catches between the two of them) but Smith loves utilizing his running backs as weapons.
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Kansas City running backs had 70 receptions last season.
It looks as though they will be without Jamaal Charles as he continues his recovery from last season’s torn ACL. Charles is a huge weapon in their offense typically but they did get by without him last season.
They aren’t entirely healthy going into Week 1 though as they will be without not only Charles but Justin Houston as well.
Also, Eric Berry missed almost of camp and Tamba Hali is battling back from a knee injury.
NFL Betting Trends:
- San Diego was 6-2 ATS as a road underdog last season
- Kansas City was 2-5 ATS as a home favorite last season
- San Diego is 16-9-1 ATS as the road team since 2013.
- San Diego is 18-12-1 ATS as an underdog since 2013.
4* Free NFL Betting Prediction: San Diego +7.0
The strong Chiefs defense from 2015 could be challenged a bit in the opener as they won’t be full strength. If the Chargers offensive line can protect Rivers, he could help the Chargers steal this one.
Regardless, I expect it to be close.
NFL Free Score Prediction: Kansas City 31 – San Diego 28
The Chiefs could struggle a bit defensively without Justin Houston and with Eric Berry missing most of camp.
The Chargers offense will be what carries them in this game and in all games this season.
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