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Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs Prediction, Pick & Odds for Sunday Night Football

Brady Trettenero

By Brady Trettenero in NFL Football

Updated: December 8, 2024 at 3:20 am EST

Published:


Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws an incomplete pass
Sep 29, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws an incomplete pas as is pressured by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
  • Our Chargers vs Chiefs prediction for Sunday Night Football in Week 14 is live
  • The latest Chargers vs Chiefs odds favor KC by 4 points at home
  • Read below for Chargers vs Chiefs prediction, odds and expert picks

The Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) visit the red-hot Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) on Sunday Night Football in a Week 14 AFC West clash between two playoff contenders.

The Chiefs are still being the Chiefs, with their only loss this season occurring when they faced the Buffalo Bills on the road. KC is coming off a narrow 19-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, their second straight close call against inferior competition.

Meanwhile, the Chargers have won five of six, but needed their defense to score their only touchdown in an ugly 17-13 win at Atlanta last week.

Here’s our Chargers vs Chiefs prediction and the latest odds for Sunday Night Football.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Chargers +4 (-110) +172 Over 42.5 (-110)
Chiefs -4 (-110) -200 Under 42.5 (-110)

The Chargers vs Chiefs odds show Kansas City as 4-point home favorites, translating to a 66% implied probability. The Chiefs need to win by at least 5 points to cover the spread.

This line opened with the Chiefs as 4.5-point favorites before ticking down to 4 at most sportsbooks. The total opened at 43.5 points and has steadily fallen to 42.5, perhaps due to injuries impacting the Chargers offense and inclement weather in the forecast.

 

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Odds as of December 7, 2024 at ESPN Sportsbook. Browse the latest NFL betting odds here.

Chargers Betting Outlook

Injuries have hindered the Chargers’ 2024 season, but Jim Harbaugh’s squad has remained competitive in the AFC playoff race. Despite ranking 24th in total offense, Los Angeles still boasts the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense, allowing just 15.7 PPG.

Star running back JK Dobbins was placed on IR with an MCL sprain, a major blow to an already limited offense. Backup Gus Edwards managed just 32 yards on 11 carries in Atlanta.

Rookie receiver Ladd McConkey, who leads the team with 815 yards, is also questionable with nagging knee and shoulder injuries after posting nine catches for 117 yards vs the Falcons.

Quarterback Justin Herbert has managed the Chargers to wins despite the depleted supporting cast. The former #1 overall pick has been efficient, completing 63.4% of his passes for 2,551 yards with 13 TDs and just 1 INT. He’ll need to avoid mistakes against an opportunistic Chiefs defense.

Chiefs Betting Outlook

The Chiefs have been the NFL’s hottest team for most of 2024, starting 11-1, with their only loss coming in Buffalo. Superstar QB Patrick Mahomes hasn’t been his usual dominant self lately, tossing 5 INTs over his last three games, but he still has KC poised for another #1 seed.

Kansas City’s defense has been the story, ranking 8th in points allowed (19.6 PPG) and 3rd against the run (87.8 YPG). They contained a hobbled Raiders offense last week, but did allow 434 total yards. The secondary has been shaky at times, yielding 224 passing YPG (23rd).

Offensively, the Chiefs remain potent, averaging 24.1 PPG (11th) despite some uncharacteristic Mahomes INTs. Rookie RB Isaiah Pacheco returned from injury last week to provide a spark (7 carries, 44 yards) alongside veteran Kareem Hunt. TE Travis Kelce (75 rec, 637 yds) remains Mahomes’ top target, with WRs Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice on IR.

Kansas City signed K Matthew Wright off the practice squad with Harrison Butker and Spencer Shrader both injured. In his KC debut, Wright went 4/5 on FGs in the win over Las Vegas.

Chargers vs Chiefs Prediction

While the Chargers have exceeded expectations at 8-4, I’m very hesitant to bet on them with major injury concerns. Assuming their two top options are limited this week, LA simply does not have much else to work with.

Furthermore, Andy Reid’s Chiefs have owned this rivalry of late, winning six straight over their AFC West foes. In the earlier meeting this season, Kansas City went into LA as 6.5-point road favorites and emerged with a 17-10 victory. Now they’re only laying 4 points at home in Arrowhead with extra time to prepare? Sign me up.

The Chargers deserve credit for hiding their deficiencies on offense behind a stout defense and mistake-free play from Herbert. But eventually, the attrition catches up to you, especially against elite opposition like the Chiefs. I don’t see Gus Edwards and the ailing pass catchers doing enough to keep pace with Mahomes and co.

While I lean Under due to the weather and LA’s offensive woes, the Chiefs are my strongest play laying less than a TD. Kansas City is 0-6 ATS in their last six, but oddsmakers have asked them to cover some massive numbers.

This short spread is a gift. I’ll lay the points confidently with Reid having extra time to prepare against an underequipped division rival. Let’s back the Chiefs to smother Herbert and win comfortably in a low-scoring battle of attrition.

SNF Pick & Prediction:

  • Chiefs -4 (-110)
  • UNDER 42.5 (-110)

 

Brady Trettenero
Brady Trettenero

Lead NHL & NCAAF Editor

Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.

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