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NFL Odds: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers

Written by Jack Jones

Double digit favorites have fared well this season ATS but does new Kansas City QB Tyler Thigpen have enough to help his team cover against a talented Chargers squad. The Kansas City Chiefs vs San Diego Chargers AFC West match-up will feature underachieving Chargers team eager to see how star RB LaDainian Tomlinson has healed after a bye week. Tomlinson vs Larry Johnson will be a fun battle to watch regardless of these teams 4-12 combined record. The NFL odds for the Kansas City Chiefs vs San Diego Chargers game is San Diego -14 to -15.

New Chiefs starting QB Tyler Thigpen (6′1″ 224) showed his athleticism last week in a close 27-31 loss to the Tampa Bay Bucs as +9.5 dogs. Thigpen even caught a TD pass as a wideout in the Wildcat formation. Even with the spirited effort from Thigpen, a second year free agent from Coastal Carolina, the Chiefs need to close out games. “We still have to learn how to finish the game,” coach Herm Edwards said. “We have to make plays in certain parts of the game that you need to make. I think that comes with some experience.” Thigpen’s top offensive threat, RB Larry Johnson, could miss another game for disciplinary actions. With Johnson expected to miss Sunday’s game, rookie RB Jamaal Charles (4.40 40-speed) will look to make an impact. The 6′1″ 205 Lb. Charles is an instinctive runner with tremendous strength (400+ Bench-Press). Behind Charles, 5′11″ 218 Lb. RB Kolby Smith has some wiggle and burst. The Chargers defense is allowing 24.9 PPG and has been handicapped by the absence of all-world linebacker Shawn Merriman. The 3-5 Chargers are desperate, and realize they need a big defensive effort against the Chiefs to keep their playoff hopes alive. “I think we realize we’re in a very tough position right now,” defensive end Luis Castillo said. “But at the same time, the attitude is we realize there’s hope, because it’s a lot tougher to be 3-5 in a division where you’re four or five games behind already.” The Chargers are coming off a bye week that saw the firing of defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell. New San Diego defensive coordinator Ron Rivera has promised a more aggressive defensive scheme that the players are agreeable to. “I think we’re better than 3-5, but we have to play it as it says right now,” inside linebacker Matt Wilhelm said. “Our record says we’re 3-5. With the changes that have been made, I think we’re excited to go out and play.” If you like doing your NFL betting on game totals then the OVER\UNDER for the Kansas City Chiefs vs San Diego Chargers game is at 47.0 to 47.5 points.

The Chargers are anxious to see how RB LaDainian Tomlinson’s toe has healed coming off the bye. A healthy Tomlinson and Darren Sproles (4.40 40-speed) should be able to gain some yards on a Chiefs run defense that is ranked dead last in the NFL. On top of being ranked last in the NFL in run defense, the Chiefs also rank last in sacks with 4.0. Still, San Diego’s offense has lacked a certain something all year. As well as Phillip Rivers has played; (107.8 passer rating) he has made mental errors that have cost the Chargers points. All is not lost on the Chiefs defense as bad as the numbers on paper indicate (27.9 PPG allowed). There is talent on K.C’s defensive side of the ball with OLB Derrick Johnson (6′3″ 242 4.40 40-speed) and OLB Pat Thomas (47 TKL 1.0 sack). The Chargers will need to step on the Chiefs throat early and establish their dominance. Too often, the Norv Turner led Chargers, have played a “soft” brand of football that has caused them to underachieve on both sides of the ball.

This AFC West divisional battle will pit a flailing Chargers team coming off a bye against a young and talented Chiefs team. As bad as 1-7 looks on paper the Chiefs are still a Herm Edwards coached team that plays hard. San Diego is it’s own worst enemy with as much juice as they have on both sides of the ball. If you like making your NFL picks on who is going to win straight up MONEYLINE for the Kansas City Chiefs vs San Diego Chargers game is San Diego -900.

Jack Jones has his free NFL picks on this game and he’s taking the points, so play Kansas City +15.

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Written by Jack Jones on November 9, 2008 · Filed Under NFL Betting Articles, News & Previews