Sunday Night Football: Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs Prediction, Pick & Odds

• Our Chargers vs Chiefs prediction for Sunday Night Football in Week 14 is live
• The latest Chargers vs Chiefs odds favor KC by 4 points at home
• Read below for Chargers vs Chiefs prediction, odds and expert picks

The Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) visit the red-hot Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) on Sunday Night Football in a Week 14 AFC West clash between two playoff contenders.

The Chiefs are still being the Chiefs, with their only loss this season occurring when they faced the Buffalo Bills on the road. KC is coming off a narrow 19-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, their second straight close call against inferior competition.

Meanwhile, the Chargers have won five of six, but needed their defense to score their only touchdown in an ugly 17-13 win at Atlanta last week.

Here’s our Chargers vs Chiefs prediction and the latest odds for Sunday Night Football.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs Odds

The Chargers vs Chiefs odds show Kansas City as 4-point home favorites, translating to a 66% implied probability. The Chiefs need to win by at least 5 points to cover the spread.

This line opened with the Chiefs as 4.5-point favorites before ticking down to 4 at most sportsbooks. The total opened at 43.5 points and has steadily fallen to 42.5, perhaps due to injuries impacting the Chargers offense and inclement weather in the forecast.

Odds as of December 7, 2024 at ESPN Sportsbook. Browse the latest NFL betting odds here.

Chargers Betting Outlook

Injuries have hindered the Chargers’ 2024 season, but Jim Harbaugh’s squad has remained competitive in the AFC playoff race. Despite ranking 24th in total offense, Los Angeles still boasts the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense, allowing just 15.7 PPG.

Star running back JK Dobbins was placed on IR with an MCL sprain, a major blow to an already limited offense. Backup Gus Edwards managed just 32 yards on 11 carries in Atlanta.

JK Dobbins to IR is unfortunate, as he was the best of the low-cost risk vs reward signings GM Joe Hortiz made on offense.

Those acquisitions have been a mixed bag of good, average, and unplayable. pic.twitter.com/FdX9UhPW2X

— Tyler Schoon (@tylerjschoon) November 30, 2024

Rookie receiver Ladd McConkey, who leads the team with 815 yards, is also questionable with nagging knee and shoulder injuries after posting nine catches for 117 yards vs the Falcons.

Quarterback Justin Herbert has managed the Chargers to wins despite the depleted supporting cast. The former #1 overall pick has been efficient, completing 63.4% of his passes for 2,551 yards with 13 TDs and just 1 INT. He’ll need to avoid mistakes against an opportunistic Chiefs defense.

Chiefs Betting Outlook

The Chiefs have been the NFL’s hottest team for most of 2024, starting 11-1, with their only loss coming in Buffalo. Superstar QB Patrick Mahomes hasn’t been his usual dominant self lately, tossing 5 INTs over his last three games, but he still has KC poised for another #1 seed.

Kansas City’s defense has been the story, ranking 8th in points allowed (19.6 PPG) and 3rd against the run (87.8 YPG). They contained a hobbled Raiders offense last week, but did allow 434 total yards. The secondary has been shaky at times, yielding 224 passing YPG (23rd).

The Raiders fumble it, the Chiefs recover it to seal the game ‼️#LVvsKC on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/WvNvUONRM5

— NFL (@NFL) November 29, 2024

Offensively, the Chiefs remain potent, averaging 24.1 PPG (11th) despite some uncharacteristic Mahomes INTs. Rookie RB Isaiah Pacheco returned from injury last week to provide a spark (7 carries, 44 yards) alongside veteran Kareem Hunt. TE Travis Kelce (75 rec, 637 yds) remains Mahomes’ top target, with WRs Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice on IR.

Kansas City signed K Matthew Wright off the practice squad with Harrison Butker and Spencer Shrader both injured. In his KC debut, Wright went 4/5 on FGs in the win over Las Vegas.

Chargers vs Chiefs Prediction

While the Chargers have exceeded expectations at 8-4, I’m very hesitant to bet on them with major injury concerns. Assuming their two top options are limited this week, LA simply does not have much else to work with.

Furthermore, Andy Reid’s Chiefs have owned this rivalry of late, winning six straight over their AFC West foes. In the earlier meeting this season, Kansas City went into LA as 6.5-point road favorites and emerged with a 17-10 victory. Now they’re only laying 4 points at home in Arrowhead with extra time to prepare? Sign me up.

Coach Matt Patricia is “never gonna question” the Chiefs as long as they have Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. pic.twitter.com/nUG6KK3rlY

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) December 5, 2024

The Chargers deserve credit for hiding their deficiencies on offense behind a stout defense and mistake-free play from Herbert. But eventually, the attrition catches up to you, especially against elite opposition like the Chiefs. I don’t see Gus Edwards and the ailing pass catchers doing enough to keep pace with Mahomes and co.

While I lean Under due to the weather and LA’s offensive woes, the Chiefs are my strongest play laying less than a TD. Kansas City is 0-6 ATS in their last six, but oddsmakers have asked them to cover some massive numbers.

This short spread is a gift. I’ll lay the points confidently with Reid having extra time to prepare against an underequipped division rival. Let’s back the Chiefs to smother Herbert and win comfortably in a low-scoring battle of attrition.

SNF Pick & Prediction:

• Chiefs -4 (-110)
• UNDER 42.5 (-110)

The highly anticipated Sunday Night Football matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs is set to be a thrilling game that football fans won’t want to miss. Both teams are coming off strong performances in their previous games and will be looking to continue their winning streaks.

The Los Angeles Chargers are currently sitting at the top of the AFC West with a 7-4 record. Led by star quarterback Justin Herbert, the Chargers have been one of the most exciting teams to watch this season. Herbert has been putting up impressive numbers, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns so far this season. The Chargers’ offense is explosive and can put up points in a hurry, making them a tough team to beat.

On the other side, the Kansas City Chiefs have had a bit of a rocky start to the season but have been picking up steam in recent weeks. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been playing at an elite level, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. The Chiefs’ offense is always a threat with playmakers like Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, who can break open a game at any moment.

In terms of defense, both teams have been solid but not spectacular. The Chargers have a strong pass rush led by Joey Bosa, while the Chiefs have been improving their defense in recent weeks. This game could come down to which defense can make a key stop or force a turnover at a crucial moment.

As for the odds, the Chiefs are currently favored to win this game by a slim margin. However, with the way the Chargers have been playing lately, this game could easily go either way. It’s sure to be a close and competitive matchup that will keep fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

In terms of a prediction, I believe that this game will come down to the wire and could potentially be decided by a field goal in the final minutes. Both teams have the talent and firepower to win, but I think the Chargers will come out on top in a close game. Justin Herbert will lead his team to victory with a late touchdown drive, securing a crucial win for the Chargers in their quest for a playoff spot.

Overall, Sunday Night Football between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs is shaping up to be an exciting and high-scoring affair. Football fans should definitely tune in to see two of the best teams in the AFC battle it out for supremacy in what promises to be a thrilling game.