Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers Picks and Predictions December 8th 2024

Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers December 8th 2024

The Chargers and Chiefs will kick off at 8:20 ET on Sunday, December 8th, with NBC televising this week 14 AFC West matchup. The game, being played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, is seeing the Chiefs as -204 money line favorites. The Chargers are +170 on the money line and +4 on the point spread. The over/under line is currently at 43 points.

Los Angeles vs. Kansas City Key Information

Teams: Chargers at Chiefs
Where: Arrowhead Stadium Kansas City
Date: Sunday, December 8th
Betting Odds KC -204 | LAC +170 O/U 43

The Chargers Can Win If…

Heading into week 14, the Chargers are 8-4, putting them 2nd in the AFC West. Our projections give them a 94.6% chance of making the playoffs, but just a 3.3% chance of winning the division. They rank 14th in our NFL power rankings. Against the spread, the Chargers are 8-3-1, including an 8-1 record as favorites. Their O/U record is 4-8, with their games averaging 37.3 points compared to an average line of 42.2.

In week 13, the Chargers bounced back from a week 12 loss to the Ravens by beating the Falcons 17-13. They were 0.5-point favorites and covered the spread with the win. The O/U line was 47 points, and the teams combined for 30. Before that, the Chargers had won three straight, including a 34-27 victory over the Bengals in week 11.

Heading into week 14, the Chargers rank 14th in our offensive power rankings. They are 17th in the NFL in points per game (21.7) and 24th in passing yards per game (198.4), despite ranking 30th in passing attempts. On the ground, they average 112.9 rushing yards per game, which ranks 18th in the league, on 27.3 rushing attempts per game. Los Angeles ranks 18th in the NFL in 3rd-down conversion percentage (37.7%) but is 5th in red zone conversion percentage.

In week 13, Justin Herbert threw for 147 yards (16/23) in the Chargers’ 17-13 win over the Falcons. He was sacked 5 times in the game. Ladd McConkey led the team with 9 catches for 117 yards, while Gus Edwards had 32 rushing yards on 6 carries. The Chargers were shut out in the 4th quarter and converted just 3 of 11 3rd-down attempts.

The Chargers’ defense played well in their most recent game, coming up with four interceptions despite allowing 234 passing yards to the Falcons. They held Atlanta to just a 21.4% conversion rate on third down and kept them out of the endzone, not allowing any passing touchdowns. The Chargers did struggle a bit against the run, giving up 116 yards on 37 attempts.

Overall, the Chargers allowed 350 total yards in the game, but their ability to force turnovers and limit the Falcons’ scoring helped them secure a 17-13 victory.

Los Angeles will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 2-1 over their past three games. In terms of betting, the team went 2-1 ATS in these matchups. Their over/under record in these matchups is 2-1.
The Chargers have gone 6-4 over their last ten regular season games. Across these games, their ATS record was just 6-3-1, while posting an over-under record of 4-6.

The Chiefs Can Win If…

The Chiefs sit atop the AFC standings with an 11-1 record, giving them a 100% chance of making the playoffs and a 96.3% chance of winning the AFC West. Kansas City has a +4.5 scoring margin this season and ranks 6th in our NFL power rankings. They’ve won two in a row since their week 11 loss to the Bills, including a 19-17 win over the Raiders in week 13.

Kansas City has struggled against the spread, going 4-7-1 this season and failing to cover in six straight games. In week 13, they were 13.5-point favorites against the Raiders but only won by 2. Their O/U record is 6-6, with their games averaging 43.7 points.

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Patrick Mahomes has thrown for 306 yards in week 13, completing 26 of 46 passes with one touchdown and no interceptions, posting a passer rating of 84. In week 12, he had a passer rating of 120, with 269 yards and 3 touchdowns. Mahomes has been sacked 5 times in each of the last two games. DeAndre Hopkins led the team in receiving in week 13 with 4 catches for 90 yards, while Isiah Pacheco had 44 rushing yards on 7 carries.

Heading into week 14, the Chiefs rank 10th in the NFL in points per game, averaging 24.1. They are 15th in passing yards per game (229.8) and 19th in rushing yards per game (111.8). Kansas City leads the league in 3rd-down conversion percentage, converting 51.8% of their attempts.

In their 19-17 win over the Raiders, the Chiefs allowed 434 yards of offense. The Chiefs’ defense gave up 318 passing yards on 23 completions, with the Raiders averaging 9.1 yards per attempt through the air. Despite this, the Chiefs’ defense limited the Raiders to a 25% conversion rate on third down. Kansas City also recorded three sacks and held the Raiders to 116 yards rushing on 25 attempts.

Over their last three games, the Chiefs have gone 3-0 straight up. However, they have only gone 0-3 vs. the spread over this stretch. Their over-under record in these three games was 1-2.
Kansas City has put together a record of 9-1 in their last ten games (regular season). The team’s record vs the spread was just 5-5, in addition to an over-under mark of 3-6-1.

The Lean

For this week 14 matchup between the Chiefs and Chargers, we have the Chargers pulling off the upset by a score of 20-18. However, with the Chargers being 4-point road underdogs, our pick vs. the spread is to take the Chargers to cover at +4.

As for the best way to bet the over/under, we have a lean towards the under, with a projected combined score of 38 points and the line sitting at 43 points.

Kings of the Close Call: Chiefs Look to Squeak Out Another Win vs. Chargers

The Kansas City Chiefs aim to extend their six-game winning streak against the Los Angeles Chargers when the teams clash Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium. Despite their dominance in the rivalry, the Chiefs have shown vulnerability, with close finishes becoming the norm.

Chiefs Hold Tight in Close Games

Kansas City (11-1) has displayed an uncanny ability to close out tight contests. They are a perfect 9-0 in one-possession games this season, including Friday’s nail-biting 19-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The victory was only secured when the Raiders botched a late snap while in field-goal range.

Patrick Mahomes acknowledged the need for improvement despite the wins.

“The hope is that with all of these close finishes, we’re getting wins but it’s keeping us hungry so that we can try to continue to get better as the season goes on,” Mahomes said.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers

Mahomes threw for 306 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders, and Travis Kelce caught a team-high seven passes. However, the Chiefs’ offense managed only 329 total yards, compared to 434 for the Raiders. Mahomes also endured five sacks for a loss of 40 yards.

Chiefs’ Kicking Carousel

Kansas City’s close games have emphasized the importance of special teams, and the Chiefs are now on their third kicker. After injuries to Harrison Butker and Spencer Shrader, Matthew Wright has been promoted from the practice squad. Wright made 4 of 5 field goals against the Raiders.

“He’s done a nice job for us,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “Wright will go this weekend, and if he just keeps doing what he has been doing, we’re in good shape.”

Chargers’ Defense Rising

The Chargers (8-4) have surged recently, winning five of their last six games while holding opponents under 20 points in four of those victories. Their defense, ranked first in the NFL in points allowed (15.7 per game), will look to capitalize on Kansas City’s offensive inconsistencies.

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Rookie defensive back Tarheeb Still earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording two interceptions, including a 61-yard pick-six, in a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons last week. Derwin James Jr. sealed the win with a late interception, highlighting the defense’s ability to deliver in clutch moments.

“Great defense wants to be on the field,” James said. “We finished how we wanted to finish as a defense.”

Offensive Concerns for the Chargers

While the defense has shone, the Chargers’ offense has struggled. They managed just 187 total yards and 10 first downs against Atlanta, with Justin Herbert throwing for a modest 147 yards. The offensive line allowed Herbert to be sacked five times.

“Yeah, we could do some things better (on offense),” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “But we were at our best when our best was needed most.”

Injury Updates

The Chargers are relatively healthy, with linebacker Daiyan Henley (knee) as the only player missing Wednesday’s practice. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey (knee/shoulder) was limited.

The Chiefs reported no significant injuries, with all players practicing fully on Wednesday.

High-Stakes Matchup

With both teams boasting top-tier defenses—Los Angeles ranks first and Kansas City eighth in points allowed—the Sunday night showdown is shaping up as another close contest. The Chargers will look to capitalize on the Chiefs’ recent offensive struggles, while Kansas City aims to maintain its remarkable record in tight games.