Chiefs vs Chargers Prediction: Odds, Picks & Betting Preview Week 18 – January 7, 2024

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On Sunday, January 7, 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) visit a struggling Los Angeles Chargers (5-11) squad at SoFi Stadium. The Chargers are looking to stop the bleeding after losing four games in a row.

Chargers vs. Chiefs Odds

Point Spread

The spread for this matchup is set at 3.5 points, with oddsmakers listing the Chargers as the favorites.

Moneyline

As for the moneyline, the Chargers have -175 odds to pick up the win, while the Chiefs are listed at +145 to claim victory.

Over/Under

Finally, the over/under for the game is set at 35 points.

Game Info

How to Watch Chargers vs. Chiefs Live?

  • Game Day: Sunday, January 7, 2024
  • Game Time: 4:25 PM ET
  • TV Channel: CBS
  • Location: Inglewood, California
  • Stadium: SoFi Stadium

Betting Preview

Chargers

The Chargers own the 19th-ranked offense this year (327.9 yards per game), and they’ve been worse on defense, ranking fourth-worst with 368.9 yards allowed per game. From an offensive standpoint, the Chargers rank 20th in the NFL with 20.9 points per game. Meanwhile, they rank 25th in points allowed (368.9 points allowed per contest).

Despite sporting a bottom-five pass defense that ranks third-worst in the NFL (256.3 passing yards allowed per game), the Chargers have put up better results on offense, ranking 13th in the NFL by averaging 232.6 passing yards per game. The Chargers rank 26th in run offense (95.3 rushing yards per game) and 16th in run defense (112.6 rushing yards allowed per game) this season.

The Chargers are putting up a 38.5% third-down percentage offensively this year (17th in NFL), and they are giving up a 38.4% third-down percentage (17th) on the other side of the ball. This season, the Chargers are gaining 5.1 yards per play (18th in the league), while giving up 5.6 per play on the defensive side of the ball (27th in the NFL). The Chargers have forced 20 total turnovers (21st in NFL) this season and have turned it over 20 times (16th in NFL) for a turnover margin of an even, 17th-ranked in the league.

Chiefs

The Chiefs’ defense has been leading the charge for the team, as they rank second-best in the NFL with 285.8 total yards allowed per game. In terms of offense, they are posting 356.5 total yards per game, which ranks ninth. The Chiefs’ defensive unit has been leading the charge for the team, as they rank third-best in the NFL with 17.6 points conceded per game. In terms of offense, they are posting 22.4 points per game, which ranks 12th.

The Chiefs have been a top-five pass unit on both offense and defense this season, as they rank fifth-best in passing yards per game (252.7) and second-best in passing yards allowed per game (172.9). The Chiefs rank 19th in the NFL with 103.8 rushing yards per contest on offense, and they rank 17th with 112.9 rushing yards given up per contest on defense.

From an offensive perspective, the Chiefs are putting up a 44.1% third-down conversion percentage (sixth-ranked). They rank ninth in the NFL on the other side of the ball (37.1% third-down rate allowed). The Chiefs have been dominant on defense in terms of yards per play, surrendering only 4.7 (third-best). Offensively, they rank seventh in the NFL by putting up 5.6 yards per play. The Chiefs sport a bottom-five turnover margin this season, second-worst at -11.

Chargers vs. Chiefs Injury Report

Chargers

Player Pos. Injury Status
Isaiah Spiller RB Gameday inactive Out
Keenan Allen WR Heel Out
Justin Hollins OLB Shoulder Out
Joey Bosa OLB Foot Questionable
Kenneth Murray LB Shoulder Out
Deane Leonard DB Heel Probable
Jalen Guyton WR Gameday inactive Out
Stone Smartt TE Shoulder Probable
Zion Johnson OG Neck Out
Tuli Tuipulotu OLB Ankle Probable

Chiefs

Player Pos. Injury Status
Isiah Pacheco RB Quad Probable
Patrick Mahomes II QB Ankle Out
Kadarius Toney WR Hip Out
Travis Kelce TE Coach’s decision Out
George Karlaftis DE Nir (coaching) Probable
Michael Danna DE Nir (coaching) Out
L’Jarius Sneed CB Calf Out
Nick Bolton LB Wrist Probable
Trent McDuffie CB Shoulder Probable
Donovan Smith OT Neck Out
Rashee Rice WR Hamstring Out

Chargers vs. Chiefs Betting Analysis

Chargers Betting Insights

The Chargers have covered the spread five times in 16 games with a set spread. The Chargers have an ATS record of 2-0-1 when playing as at least 3.5-point favorites.

This season, Chargers games have hit the over five times.

Chiefs Betting Insights

The Chiefs have put together an 8-7-1 record against the spread this year.

Games involving Chiefs have hit the over five times this season. The Chiefs won the only game they’ve played as the underdog this season.

The Chiefs have not entered a game this season as a bigger underdog on the moneyline than the +145 odds on them winning this game.

Chargers vs. Chiefs Against The Spread & Betting Records

Chargers

Overall Home Away
Point Total AVG 45.6 47.9 43.3
Implied Team Total AVG 25 26.8 23.3
ATS Record 5-10-1 2-5-1 3-5-0
Over/Under Record 5-10-1 3-5-0 2-5-1
Moneyline Favorite Record 4-4 2-2 2-2
Moneyline Underdog Record 0-7 0-4 0-3

Chiefs

Overall Home Away
Point Total AVG 46.6 47.8 45.1
Implied Team Total AVG 26.6 27 26.1
ATS Record 8-7-1 5-4-0 3-3-1
Over/Under Record 5-10-1 1-7-1 4-3-0
Moneyline Favorite Record 9-6 4-4 5-2
Moneyline Underdog Record 1-0 1-0 0-0

Players to Watch

Chargers

  • On the ground, Austin Ekeler averages 3.7 yards per attempt (38th in the NFL) and 47.5 yards per game for 617 total rushing yards. He has scored five rushing touchdowns this season.
  • Ekeler has been targeted 66 times in the passing game and has 44 catches (3.4 per game) for 398 yards (30.6 per game) and one TD.
  • Josh Palmer has caught 32 passes on 51 targets for 537 total yards and two touchdowns. He is averaging 3.6 catches and 59.7 yards per game through nine games.
  • Through 14 games played, Gerald Everett is averaging 29.1 yards and 3.6 receptions per game to total 407 receiving yards and 50 catches. He’s been targeted 69 times, and has three receiving touchdowns.
  • Quentin Johnston has put up 414 receiving yards and two touchdowns with 36 catches on 62 targets. He’s averaging 2.3 receptions and 25.9 yards per game.
  • On the defensive side, Khalil Mack has 69 tackles, 18 TFL, 16 sacks, and eight passes defended in 2023.
  • Derwin James has two sacks in addition to his five TFL, 118 tackles, and one interception.
  • Eric Kendricks has totaled 110 tackles, seven TFL, and 3.5 sacks this year.
  • This season, Alohi Gilman has 70 tackles, two TFL, and one interception. He’s fourth on the Chargers in tackles.

Chiefs

  • Isiah Pacheco averages 66.8 rushing yards per game this year (935 total yards), while scoring seven rushing touchdowns.
  • On top of his rushing statistics, Pacheco has caught 44 passes (on 49 targets) for 244 yards (sixth on the Chiefs), with two receiving touchdowns. He’s averaging 17.4 yards per game.
  • Justin Watson has 460 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 27 receptions, while being targeted 52 times.
  • Clyde Edwards-Helaire is averaging 15.9 rushing yards per game this season (222 total yards), while scoring one rushing touchdown.
  • In addition to his rushing stats, Edwards-Helaire has hauled in 16 passes (on 20 targets) for 179 yards (ninth on the Chiefs), with one receiving touchdown. He averages 12.8 yards per game.
  • Noah Gray has 28 catches for 305 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He averages 1.8 yards per game in 16 games and has been targeted 38 times.
  • In 2023, Justin Reid has three sacks to go with five TFL, 95 tackles, and one interception over 16 games.
  • Trent McDuffie’s stats include 80 tackles, three TFL, three sacks, and seven passes defended.
  • Drue Tranquill has 4.5 sacks (fifth on the Chiefs) in addition to his seven TFL and 78 tackles.
  • George Karlaftis has 47 tackles, seven TFL, 10.5 sacks, and three passes defended.

Chargers vs. Chiefs Predictions and Pick

Our pick to win this game is the Chiefs, and we predict that Chiefs will cover the spread (Chargers -3.5). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going over the posted total of 35 points.

How to Bet on Chargers vs. Chiefs

You can bet this Chargers vs. Chiefs pick at every legal online sportsbook

You can check our live NFL lines for the latest NFL odds, including money lines, spreads, and over/under totals.

Tip: If you want to check out how much you could win on a $10 bet if you parlayed today’s Chargers vs. Chiefs picks, don’t forget to check out our free parlay calculator.

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WRITTEN BY

Matt Rooney

Matt comes from Chicago and has lived in the area his whole life. Graduated from and played football at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL while also serving as the director of student sports broadcasting. He writes for Betsperts as well as appears on several shows across the network.

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