AFC West Battle Ought to Be Excessive-Scoring because the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs Host the L.A. Chargers

After the NFL’s Week 1, by which there was a tie and each primary seeds from final yr’s playoffs misplaced, Week 2 arrives with an epic Thursday Night time Soccer matchup. The L.A. Chargers journey to Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri to tackle the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes throws through the crew’s Week 1 sport in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals. The Chiefs are again in motion at the moment in opposition to the L.A. Chargers. (Picture: Related Press)

This can be one of the anticipated matchups of Week 2. Two AFC West rivals with 1-0 data seeking to make a press release early within the season.

The Chiefs gave a robust preseason efficiency, whereas the Chargers didn’t – they even misplaced to the Cowboys, 32-18. Nonetheless, that was a distinct time, with completely different gamers beginning, and the true check begins now.

Chiefs In Cost

The Chiefs come into tonight’s sport after routing the Arizona Cardinals 44-21 in Week 1. Patrick Mahomes linked for 360 yards within the air whereas avoiding sacks and interceptions.

The Chiefs had the second-best document within the AFC final season, ending with a 12-5 document. They virtually made it to their third consecutive Tremendous Bowl look however suffered a shock loss by the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Kansas Metropolis’s offense was wonderful final yr, as they paced the whole league in complete yards and ranked fourth in scoring (29.4 PPG, 408 YPG). After they determined to half methods with All-Professional large receiver Tyreek Hill this low season, they had been taking a look at an enormous void. Nonetheless, the crew has already proven that it has maintained its offensive power with out him.

Chargers Flip Bullish

The Chargers took a 24-19 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Sport 1. Khalil Mack led the protection, recording three sacks and a compelled fumble in opposition to Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, because the silver and black bumped into a number of brick partitions. The L.A. protection was additionally accountable for forcing Carr to throw three picks and enduring three extra sacks along with what Mack added to his particular person tally.

The Chargers can go toe-to-toe with the very best within the league offensively. It was fifth in scoring and fourth in complete yards final season (27.9 PPG, 390 YPG). Nonetheless, the protection was surprisingly disappointing. However, if Los Angeles can clear issues up defensively, the sky’s the restrict for this younger crew.

L.A. quarterback Justin Herbert ended the sport with three landing passes and 0 turnovers for a stable day. Whereas noteworthy, his 279 passing yards received’t be sufficient in opposition to the Chiefs.

Factors to Ponder

In response to Oddshark:

• The Chiefs have cut up their final 4 conferences with the Chargers
• The sport has gone over in 6 of the final 6 Chargers video games general
• The sport has gone over in 7 of the final 8 Chiefs video games general
• When these two met for the final time on December 16, 2021, Kansas Metropolis received 34-28 in OT

The Chiefs are favorites to win at the moment, at the moment -195 on DraftKings and -200 on BetMGM. The road is barely -4 of their favor, and the Over/Underneath is 54.

There’s little doubt that each groups will take the sphere with all the things they’ve and depart nothing behind. Nonetheless, the Chargers can be with out large receiver Keenan Allen and tight finish Donald Parham. Chiefs proper guard Trey Smith is questionable as effectively. That would depart the Chargers with a sizeable gap they will exploit.

The Chiefs are in a great place to win, though the Chargers can cowl the unfold. Final season, the 2 groups put up scoring tallies of 54 and 62. They mixed for 68 of their Week 1 video games. Due to that, backing the Over is smart.