NFL Odds – AFC West Showdown Will Have Major Playoff Implications

NFL betting lines makers know that San Diego Chargers, one week after losing that the in December for the first time since head coach Norv Turner took over the team, will look to rebound this Sunday at home, where they will host the AFC West division-leading Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chargers have won four straight division titles, the longest current streak in the NFL, but will need a win this week to have any hope of keeping that run alive.

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Kansas City Chiefs @ San Diego Chargers

Sunday December 12, 2010 – 4:15 PM ET

Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Broadcast: CBS

NFL Odds: Chiefs +7, Chargers -7

Total: 46.5

A Chiefs’ win would move them three games up on San Diego for top spot with three games remaining, practically securing the division for Kansas City. It won’t be easy however without their No. 1 quarterback under center, as Matt Cassel is likely out for this week after having an emergency appendectomy on Wednesday.

NFL Odds: What The Chiefs Will Have To Do To Win

Kansas City has won games every way they can this season, including a solid defensive effort in a 10-6 win over the Denver Broncos last Sunday. The Chiefs will need to be just as good defending the ball this weekend against the league’s second-ranked passing offense, an area against which they have struggled this season. Should Cassel not be able to go, which he likely won’t be, Kansas City will need a huge effort from back up Brodie Croyle. The Chargers’ defense ranks first against the pass, and fifth against the run, and it will on Croyle to move the ball while limiting mistakes to avoid the turnovers that could prove costly.

NFL Odds: What The Chargers Will Have To Do To Win

San Diego will need to provide its fans with a quality effort, as too many times this season the Chargers have taken Sundays off. This team is far too talented to consistently be hovering around the .500 mark in early December, and the fact that they play in a relatively mediocre division has been a big factor in that complacency. Quarterback Philip Rivers will need to get pissed off, and play with the fire and determination he seems to save for the biggest games. The Chargers’ defense will be all over whoever the Chiefs start at quarterback, and if they can get to either Cassel or Croyle early on they could force Kansas City in to turning the ball over.

NFL Odds: Outlook & Pick

It seems as though the Chargers do this every year, starting slow before making a run late in the winter months to clinch the division in the nick of time. However, with the Chiefs two games ahead with four remaining, it will be much more difficult for San Diego to close the gap this time around. That said, the Chargers won’t make it any easier on Kansas City than they already have, and will get back on track with a big home win on Sunday

NFL Odds Pick: Chargers -7