The 6-9 Los Angeles Chargers hit the road for their final game of the regular season to square off against the 14-1 Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Below, we’ll take a look at the early NFL odds and best sportsbook to bet with.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday, January 3, 2020 – 4:25 PM EDT at Arrowhead Stadium
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs predictions, picks, and game preview for Week 17 of the 2020 NFL season. Rivers leads Chargers to last-second comeback win over KC. Philip Rivers led the Chargers to a pair of touchdowns in the final minutes, then hit Mike Williams for the go-ahead 2-point conversion. Chiefs Pick on December 13th, 2018 in NFL Week 15. Get our free NFL betting prediction and more free sports picks at The Sports Geek. Alex Brown (CB) Brown is expected to miss the 2020 season after tearing his ACL in practice. 08/17 Out Torn ACL; DeAndre Baker (CB) Baker was carted off the field in the season finale and is expected to miss the playoffs. 01/03 Out Leg; Taco Charlton (DE) Charlton is expected to miss a few weeks. 11/08 Out Leg; Mike Remmers (OT) Divisional Round 12/30 Questionable Back. Rivers' 424 yards are the most by a Chargers' quarterback in an opener, but two turnovers led Chiefs' touchdowns. Los Angeles was within two points at halftime (14-12), but saw Kansas City score.
Chiefs Vs Chargers Predictions 2018
For the first time this season the Kansas City Chiefs enter Week 17 as +3.5 point underdogs, and for good reason. Coach Andy Reid announced that most KC starters will sit out this week to rest up for the postseason en route to another Super Bowl. This will give a chance for the LA Chargers to beat the defending Super Bowl champs. But for what reason? LA’s postseason is non-existent.
The Matchup
This matchup between the Chargers and Chiefs is their second one of the season after going head-to-head in Week 2. The Chargers took Kansas City into overtime only to lose 23-20. Patrick Mahomes threw for 302 yards and two scores that day but Justin Herbert wasn’t too far behind with 311 yards and a score and interception.
The Chargers enter this weekend on a three-game victory streak led by rookie QB Herbert. Most recently, they took on the Broncos and won 19-16. Herbert threw for 253 passing yards and one touchdown. He’s not at a season total of 4,034 passing yards and 28 passing TDs with 10 interceptions. Herbert passed Baker Mayfield and now holds the rookie QB touchdown record. He’s certainly good enough to take on a Chiefs team that won’t feature all of their weapons. It would be a nice end to the season.
As for the Chiefs, well we’ll see them in the Super Bowl again. They’ll be taking it easy this week by resting their starters. Even Patrick Mahomes is expected to be sidelined. The Chiefs are coming off a close 17-14 win over the Atlanta Falcons who failed to get themselves into overtime by missing a kick. Mahomes threw for 278 yards and two scores, while wideout Travis Kelce reeled in 98 receiving yards and a score, averaging 14 yards per reception. This team is not going to be Super Bowl contenders with their backups in.
Prediction
With a first-round bye secured, the Chiefs are chilling this week. That doesn’t mean the Chargers will too, even though they won’t see a post season. A win over the defending champs to end the season is icing on the cake for a rookie QB. The Chargers continue their hot streak to end the season, so go with them in your NFL picks.
NFL Pick: L.A Chargers -3.5 (-110) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
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Are you ready for the final game of the regular season, Chiefs Kingdom?
Just as we have over the past four seasons, the Chiefs Wire staff will offer its weekly predictions for each Chiefs game. Below you’ll find all of our picks for Kansas City’s Week 17 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 3 at 3:25 p.m. CT.
Charles Goldman’s pick:
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Both the Chiefs and the Chargers have already ruled out a number of starters for this game. It’ll basically amount to an exhibition game with the number of backup players set to take snaps. This will be an opportunity for a lot of young players to go out and get some meaningful snaps that they missed out on this year during the preseason.
I’m interested in how much pressure the Chiefs will be able to get on Justin Herbert with Sam Tevi questionable and Bryan Bulaga ruled out. Guys like Mike Danna and Tim Ward could have some serious opportunities there. There are also other players slated for snaps that haven’t seen much time this year like Darwin Thompson, Ricky Seals-Jones. BoPete Keyes, Khalen Saunders, Martinas Rankin and Yasir Durant. There’s a lot of young talent on this roster that will have an opportunity to show out in Week 17.
Chargers Vs Chiefs 2018
As I think about this game I don’t know what the Chargers have to play for this week — it might be a game for their head coach or personal pride. However, the backup players for the Chiefs have something significant that they can accomplish together this week. They can rally together and get the team to 15-1 for the first time in franchise history. That’s a goal that can be a strong motivator for this team, especially as they defend their home turf.
Chiefs win 27-21
Mitch Carney's pick:
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Even though the Chiefs are playing in a meaningless game this Sunday against the Chargers, it will still provide some value as we get a closer look at Kansas City’s backups. That being said, I have the Chiefs losing their second game to fall to 14-2.
Justin Herbert has looked like a legitimate franchise quarterback in his first season as Los Angeles’ quarterback. I expect him to give the Chiefs’ defense fits, especially if Kansas City opts to use mainly backups. I believe the Chiefs offense will have some bright spots, but it will be a clear drop off with Chad Henne getting the start. They’ll be able to move the ball, but they’ll stall out more often than we are used to when Patrick Mahomes is at the helm.
Chargers win 24-17
Ed Easton Jr.'s pick:
AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
The Chiefs are playing a meaningless game to close out the regular season as they’ve clinched the No. 1 seed. The normal array of starters will get an extra week’s rest ahead of the bye week as head coach Andy Reid plans on giving his reserves plenty of time to shine against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Kansas City will be led by veteran quarterback Chad Henne who will make some good plays in the game but obviously not to the same precision as Patrick Mahomes. The Chargers are expected to play their normal line up will have better success defensively as the scoring will be at a minimum for both sides. The outcome could really swing in Kansas City’s favor if the defense holds strong with players like Willie Gay Jr. and Mike Danna making plays against Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
The Chiefs’ reserves will squeak out a win in dramatic fashion as Harrison Butker adds another game-winner to his highlight reel, building momentum into the postseason.
Chiefs win 13-10
Talon Graff's pick:
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
It is time to lean back and enjoy watching the second-stringers take center stage as the Chiefs will rest many of their key starters in Week 17. The Chargers gave Kansas City everything it could take the first time these two teams played. Justin Herbert has the Los Angeles organization trending in the right direction and they have won three games in a row. They’d love to make it four straight to start a wave of momentum into next season.
We will see how deep the Chiefs are with Chad Henne getting his first start at quarterback since 2014. Plenty of other reserve or role players will get opportunities to showcase what they can contribute. The Chiefs get a win to end the regular season 15-1.
Chiefs win 20-17
John Dillon's pick:
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Resting all their starters this week, Kansas City will look to get completely healthy headed into their playoff bye week. The top seed was clinched last week with their win over the Falcons, so regardless of this game’s outcome, their ticket is punched for 2020. Most of the players that have ridden pine to this point will get their chance to prove themselves, which was initially lost without the 2020 preseason.
Chad Henne will see his first meaningful snaps of the season and his first start since 2014. This is the opportunity he’s been waiting for throughout his entire career. He’ll get the chance to lead, arguably, the best group of backups in the league. It’ll be his magnum opus and he’ll ride off into the sunset like a classic spaghetti western. With that said, I’ll take the Chiefs by 50 and expect this to be Henne’s best game as an NFL starting quarterback.