Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers: NFL Week 17 Betting Odds and Picks

Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers
Sunday, 12/29/13, 4:25 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: San Diego -10
Current Betting Line: San Diego -9.5
Opening Total: 45
Current Total: 45
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Chargers vs. Broncos NFL Preview — The San Diego Chargers have won their last five home games against the Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City had its two-game winning streak snapped in suffering a 23-7 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts as 7.5-point home favorites in Week 16, while losing the statistical battle for the eighth time in 10 contests. The Chiefs are locked into the No. 5 spot in the upcoming AFC playoffs, which is important to consider when making your NFL betting picks. Running back Jamaal Charles is the main player to handicap in this matchup, as he’s averaging 5.0 yards per carry, while also leading the team with 70 receptions. Kansas City is 2-2 SUATS as road underdogs of 7.5 to 10 points the last two-plus seasons, with the UNDER going 3-1 in that situation.

The Chiefs have one of the top defenses in the league, with linebacker Derrick Johnson leading the group with 107 tackles, while Tamba Hali and Justin Houston are both tied for the team lead with 11 sacks. Kansas City opened up the 2013 campaign with nine consecutive victories, but has dropped four of six—something that can’t be ignored when looking over the pro football odds page.

San Diego has won and covered the number in its last three games, including a 26-13 victory over the Oakland Raiders as 10-point home favorites last time out, while going UNDER the betting total of 50. The Chargers have gotten tremendous production out of running back Ryan Mathews, who has set a career high with 1,111 rushing yards. Quarterback Philip Rivers is also enjoying a solid season, as he’s completed a league-high 69.7 percent of his passes. San Diego is 19-8 ATS in its last 27 opportunities as home favorites of 7.5 to 10 points.

The Chargers are 5-0 this season when Mathews carries the ball 20 or more times, as they look to sweep the season series against the Chiefs. San Diego picked up a 41-38 victory over Kansas City on Nov. 24, with rivers throwing for 392 yards and three touchdowns. He has a 126.1 passer rating in putting together a three-game winning streak in this rivalry. The franchise has won its last five home games in this series by an average of 16.4 points.