NFL Odds – Chargers and Chiefs in Monday Night Showdown

The NFL Betting lines are set for the last two teams to play their Week 1 games, the San Diego Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs.

These AFC West rivals have been on opposite ends of the spectrum the past few years as the Chargers have been one of the AFC’s best while the Chiefs, well, have been the Chiefs.

These Chargers are looking to win their fifth consecutive West division title, but haven’t been able to turn their regular season success into any post-season glory.

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San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, MO)

Monday September 13th at 10:15 PM ET – TV: ESPN

NFL Odds:

San Diego – PS -4 (-110) ML -220

New York – PS +4 (-110) ML + 180

Total – 45 ½

The Chargers come into this year missing a few key pieces though as gone is LaDainian Tomlinson, the all-time leading rusher in team history. Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson is also missing as he is not only serving a three-game suspension for a violation of the NFL personal conduct policy, but is not even close to signing with the Chargers.

It looks as though he will never wear a Chargers uniform again, which is a real blow to San Diego. Their other big name hold-out, left tackle Marcus McNeill, has also yet to sign his restricted free agent tender and has missed the entire preseason.

But if you talk to anyone around the Chargers organization, it’s not who isn’t there, it’s who is there and the NFL Odds reflect that as not only are they favoured in this game, but are the co-favourite to win the AFC Division.

Ryan Mathews, their first round pick out of Fresno State will make his NFL debut tonight. He comes in with all kinds of hype and appears to be the real deal with his performance in the regular season. Backing him up will be Darren Sproles who does it all for the Chargers and should get more receptions this season.

Philip Rivers is fresh off a big year, throwing for 4254 yards and 28 TD, with only 9 interceptions, and looks poised to put up big numbers once again. That was back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons for Rivers and if he’s going to make it three straight, it will have to be with Malcom Floyd, Legedu Naanee, with recently acquired ex-Cowboy Patrick Crayton at receiver.

With that being said, Rivers’ number one target will likely be tight end Antonio Gates this year. The veterain TE is healthy this year after battling a toe injury the past few season, and will be counted on heavily by the Chargers with Jackson departing.

If you’ve noticed, I haven’t mentioned the Chiefs at all in this article is because I tried to believe in them during the pre-season and they didn’t show me anything. I still feel they have what it takes to win some ball games this year, but until they show me something, I’m not a believer.

NFL Odds: San Diego Chargers (-4) -110