Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Betting Odds, Injury Report For Huge AFC West Contest

The AFC West crown will most likely be determined by this week’s edition of “Thursday Night Football.” The Los Angeles Chargers (10-3) will travel to Missouri to take on the Kansas City Chiefs (11-2) in a game that has major implications on the AFC’s playoff seeding.

Oddsmakers expect it to be a tight game, with Las Vegas giving the Chiefs a 3.5-point edge over the Chargers, according to OddsShark. The Chiefs already beat the Chargers on the road 38-28 all the way back in week one this year, their ninth straight win against Los Angeles.

Still, the Chargers can make the case that they are a better overall team than the Chiefs. They are in or near the top 10 in most major offensive and defensive statistical categories. Quarterback Philip Rivers is having one of the best seasons of his long career and the recent return of star pass rusher Joey Bosa bolstered an already capable defense.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, have the league’s best offense in terms of points and yardage, but are near the bottom of the NFL in defense. Kansas City is second in the league in sacks, though, which was key to Sunday’s overtime win against the Baltimore Ravens (7-6). Talented pass rushers and a knack for timely turnovers have kept the Chiefs’ defense from being a complete failure this season.

Injuries could spell doom for either team in this game. Chiefs offensive starters Tyreek Hill, Spencer Ware and Cam Erving all got hurt against the Ravens, though Hill and Ware returned to the game after brief absences. Head coach Andy Reid did not have any updates on those players on Monday, per The Athletic’s Nate Taylor.

The good news for Kansas City is that All-Pro safety Eric Berry could get his first playing time in more than a year on Thursday.

The Chargers have gotten consistent production from running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler this year, but one or both could be out on Thursday. Gordon has missed two games with a sprained MCL and Ekeler got hurt against the Bengals on Sunday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the short week would “make it tough for Ekeler to be ready.”

Prediction: Home teams are 10-3 in Thursday night games this year, and Arrowhead Stadium is notorious for its homefield advantage. The Chiefs make it 10 straight against LA and barely edge out the Chargers in a contest full of offensive highlights.

Chiefs win, 31-27