NFL Week 9 Picks Against the Spread: Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers

Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers
Thursday, 11/1/12, 8:20 PM EST, TV: NFL Network
Opening Point Spread: San Diego -8.5
Current Betting Line: San Diego -7.5
Opening Total: 43.5
Current Total: 41.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The San Diego Chargers may need a big game from RB Ryan Mathews to pull off a win Thursday night

Kansas City is set to face San Diego in a Thursday Night Football matchup inside Qualcomm Stadium, as the team looks to snap a four-game losing streak, while also gaining revenge from a 37-20 loss in this series earlier this year as one-point home underdogs. The Chiefs have compiled a disappointing 7-13 record in their last 20 AFC West contests, which could lead to wholesale changes in management at the end of the year. Kansas City is 5-4 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points the last two-plus seasons, with the UNDER going 6-3 in that situation.

The Chiefs currently rank first in the AFC in averaging 155.1 rushing yards per game, with running back Jamaal Charles leading the way. Kansas City will need that attack to have success in this contest, considering that quarterback Matt Cassel has really struggled inside this venue over the course of his career, while the team has committed the most turnovers in the NFL through eight weeks.

San Diego has lost and failed to cover the spread in three consecutive games, coming off a 7-6 setback to the Cleveland Browns as three-point road favorites, while going UNDER the total for the first time in a four-game span. The Chargers could be without the services of wide receivers Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal, who were unable to practice on Wednesday. Nobody wants to be 3-4,” stated Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. San Diego is 4-1 ATS as a home favorite of 7.5 to 10 points the last two-plus seasons, with the UNDER going 4-1 in that situation.

The Chargers are going to need big games from wide receiver Malcom Floyd and tight end Antonio Gates if they plan on sweeping this series. San Diego has won eight of the last 10 meetings in this series when playing at home, which includes six of seven victories when Rivers is under center. Running back Ryan Mathews also needs to step up his performance, as he’s yet to go over the century mark in rushing this year.